Pox virus comprising DNA sequences encoding CEA and B7 antigen

ABSTRACT

Attenutated recombinant viruses containing DNA coding for a cytokine and/or a tumor associated antigen, as well as methods and compositions employing the viruses, are disclosed and claimed. The recombinant viruses can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinant viruses. The DNA can code for at least one of: human tumor necrosis factor; nuclear phosphoprotein p53, wiltype or mutant; human melanoma-associated antigen; IL-2; IFNγ; IL-4; GMCSF; IL-12; B7; erb-B-2 and carcinoembryonic antigen. The recombinant viruses and gene products therefrom are useful for cancer therapy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 08/521,016 filed Aug. 30, 1995, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/184,009 filed Jan. 19, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,975, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/007,115 filed Jan. 21, 1993, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/847,977 filed Mar. 3, 1992, abandoned, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 07/478,179, filed Feb. 14, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/320,471 filed Mar. 8, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,020; Ser. No. 07/805,567 filed Dec. 16, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,457, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/638,080 filed Jan. 7, 1991, abandoned; and, Ser. No. 07/847,951 filed Mar. 6, 1992, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/713,967 filed Jun. 11, 1991, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/666,056 filed Mar. 7, 1991, abandoned, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modified poxvirus and to methods of making and using the same. More in particular, the invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes for use as safe immunization vehicles to protect against a variety of pathogens, as well as for use in immunotherapy.

Several publications are referenced in this application. Full citation to these references is found at the end of the specification immediately preceding the claims or where the publication is mentioned; and each of these publications is hereby incorporated herein by reference. These publications relate to the art to which this invention pertains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vaccinia virus and more recently other poxviruses have been used for the insertion and expression of foreign genes. The basic technique of inserting foreign genes into live infectious poxvirus involves recombination between pox DNA sequences flanking a foreign genetic element in a donor plasmid and homologous sequences present in the rescuing poxvirus (Piccini et al., 1987).

Specifically, the recombinant poxviruses are constructed in two steps known in the art and analogous to the methods for creating synthetic recombinants of poxviruses such as the vaccinia virus and avipox virus described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,769,330, 4,772,848, 4,603,112, 5,100,587, and 5,179,993, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

First, the DNA gene sequence to be inserted into the virus, particularly an open reading frame from a non-pox source, is placed into an E. coli plasmid construct into which DNA homologous to a section of DNA of the poxvirus has been inserted. Separately, the DNA gene sequence to be inserted is ligated to a promoter. The promoter-gene linkage is positioned in the plasmid construct so that the promoter-gene linkage is flanked on both ends by DNA homologous to a DNA sequence flanking a region of pox DNA containing a nonessential locus. The resulting plasmid construct is then amplified by growth within E. coli bacteria (Clewell, 1972) and isolated (Clewell et al., 1969; Maniatis et al., 1982).

Second, the isolated plasmid containing the DNA gene sequence to be inserted is transfected into a cell culture, e.g. chick embryo fibroblasts, along with the poxvirus. Recombination between homologous pox DNA in the plasmid and the viral genome respectively gives a poxvirus modified by the presence, in a nonessential region of its genome, of foreign DNA sequences. The term “foreign” DNA designates exogenous DNA, particularly DNA from a non-pox source, that codes for gene products not ordinarily produced by the genome into which the exogenous DNA is placed.

Genetic recombination is in general the exchange of homologous sections of DNA between two strands of DNA. In certain viruses RNA may replace DNA. Homologous sections of nucleic acid are sections of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) which have the same sequence of nucleotide bases.

Genetic recombination may take place naturally during the replication or manufacture of new viral genomes within the infected host cell. Thus, genetic recombination between viral genes may occur during the viral replication cycle that takes place in a host cell which is co-infected with two or more different viruses or other genetic constructs. A section of DNA from a first genome is used interchangeably in constructing the section of the genome of a second co-infecting virus in which the DNA is homologous with that of the first viral genome.

However, recombination can also take place between sections of DNA in different genomes that are not perfectly homologous. If one such section is from a first genome homologous with a section of another genome except for the presence within the first section of, for example, a genetic marker or a gene coding for an antigenic determinant inserted into a portion of the homologous DNA, recombination can still take place and the products of that recombination are then detectable by the presence of that genetic marker or gene in the recombinant viral genome. Additional strategies have recently been reported for generating recombinant vaccinia virus (Scheiflinger et al., 1992; Merchlinsky and Moss, 1992).

Successful expression of the inserted DNA genetic sequence by the modified infectious virus requires two conditions. First, the insertion must be into a nonessential region of the virus in order that the modified virus remain viable. The second condition for expression of inserted DNA is the presence of a promoter in the proper relationship to the inserted DNA. The promoter must be placed so that it is located upstream from the DNA sequence to be expressed.

Vaccinia virus has been used successfully to immunize against smallpox, culminating in the worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1980. In the course of its history, many strains of vaccinia have arisen. These different strains demonstrate varying immunogenicity and are implicated to varying degrees with potential complications, the most serious of which are post-vaccinial encephalitis and generalized vaccinia (Behbehani, 1983).

With the eradication of smallpox, a new role for vaccinia became important, that of a genetically engineered vector for the expression of foreign genes. Genes encoding a vast number of heterologous antigens have been expressed in vaccinia, often resulting in protective immunity against challenge by the corresponding pathogen (reviewed in Tartaglia et al., 1990a,b).

The genetic background of the vaccinia vector has been shown to affect the protective efficacy of the expressed foreign immunogen. For example, expression of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) gp340 in the Wyeth vaccine strain of vaccinia virus did not protect cottontop tamarins against EBV virus induced lymphoma, while expression of the same gene in the WR laboratory strain of vaccinia virus was protective (Morgan et al., 1988).

A fine balance between the efficacy and the safety of a vaccinia virus-based recombinant vaccine candidate is extremely important. The recombinant virus must present the immunogen(s) in a manner that elicits a protective immune response in the vaccinated animal but lacks any significant pathogenic properties. Therefore attenuation of the vector strain would be a highly desirable advance over the current state of technology.

A number of vaccinia genes have been identified which are non-essential for growth of the virus in tissue culture and whose deletion or inactivation reduces virulence in a variety of animal systems.

The gene encoding the vaccinia virus thymidine kinase (TK) has been mapped (Hruby et al., 1982) and sequenced (Hruby et al., 1983; Weir et al., 1983). Inactivation or complete deletion of the thymidine kinase gene does not prevent growth of vaccinia virus in a wide variety of cells in tissue culture. TK⁻ vaccinia virus is also capable of replication in vivo at the site of inoculation in a variety of hosts by a variety of routes.

It has been shown for herpes simplex virus type 2 that intravaginal inoculation of guinea pigs with TK⁻ virus resulted in significantly lower virus titers in the spinal cord than did inoculation with TK⁺ virus (Stanberry et al., 1985). It has been demonstrated that herpesvirus encoded TK activity in vitro was not important for virus growth in actively metabolizing cells, but was required for virus growth in quiescent cells (Jamieson et al., 1974).

Attenuation of TK⁻ vaccinia has been shown in mice inoculated by the intracerebral and intraperitoneal routes (Buller et al., 1985). Attenuation was observed both for the WR neurovirulent laboratory strain and for the Wyeth vaccine strain. In mice inoculated by the intradermal route, TK⁻ recombinant vaccinia generated equivalent anti-vaccinia neutralizing antibodies as compared with the parental TK⁺ vaccinia virus, indicating that in this test system the loss of TK function does not significantly decrease immunogenicity of the vaccinia virus vector. Following intranasal inoculation of mice with TK⁻ and TK⁺ recombinant vaccinia virus (WR strain), significantly less dissemination of virus to other locations, including the brain, has been found (Taylor et al., 1991a).

Another enzyme involved with nucleotide metabolism is ribonucleotide reductase. Loss of virally encoded ribonucleotide reductase activity in herpes simplex virus (HSV) by deletion of the gene encoding the large subunit was shown to have no effect on viral growth and DNA synthesis in dividing cells in vitro, but severely compromised the ability of the virus to grow on serum starved cells (Goldstein et al., 1988). Using a mouse model for acute HSV infection of the eye and reactivatable latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia, reduced virulence was demonstrated for HSV deleted of the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, compared to the virulence exhibited by wild type HSV (Jacobson et al., 1989).

Both the small (Slabaugh et al., 1988) and large (Schmitt et al., 1988) subunits of ribonucleotide reductase have been identified in vaccinia virus. Insertional inactivation of the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase in the WR strain of vaccinia virus leads to attenuation of the virus as measured by intracranial inoculation of mice (Child et al., 1990).

The vaccinia virus hemagglutinin gene (HA) has been mapped and sequenced (Shida, 1986). The HA gene of vaccinia virus is nonessential for growth in tissue culture (Ichihashi et al., 1971). Inactivation of the HA gene of vaccinia virus results in reduced neurovirulence in rabbits inoculated by the intracranial route and smaller lesions in rabbits at the site of intradermal inoculation (Shida et al., 1988). The HA locus was used for the insertion of foreign genes in the WR strain (Shida et al., 1987), derivatives of the Lister strain (Shida et al., 1988) and the Copenhagen strain (Guo et al., 1989) of vaccinia virus. Recombinant HA⁻ vaccinia virus expressing foreign genes have been shown to be immunogenic (Guo et al., 1989; Itamura et al., 1990; Shida et al., 1988; Shida et al., 1987) and protective against challenge by the relevant pathogen (Guo et al., 1989; Shida et al., 1987).

Cowpox virus (Brighton red strain) produces red (hemorrhagic) pocks on the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken eggs. Spontaneous deletions within the cowpox genome generate mutants which produce white pocks (Pickup et al., 1984). The hemorrhagic function (u) maps to a 38 kDa protein encoded by an early gene (Pickup et al., 1986). This gene, which has homology to serine protease inhibitors, has been shown to inhibit the host inflammatory response to cowpox virus (Palumbo et al., 1989) and is an inhibitor of blood coagulation.

The u gene is present in WR strain of vaccinia virus (Kotwal et al., 1989b). Mice inoculated with a WR vaccinia virus recombinant in which the u region has been inactivated by insertion of a foreign gene produce higher antibody levels to the foreign gene product compared to mice inoculated with a similar recombinant vaccinia virus in which the u gene is intact (Zhou et al., 1990). The u region is present in a defective nonfunctional form in Copenhagen strain of vaccinia virus (open reading frames B13 and B14 by the terminology reported in Goebel et al., 1990a,b).

Cowpox virus is localized in infected cells in cytoplasmic A type inclusion bodies (ATI) (Kato et al., 1959). The function of ATI is thought to be the protection of cowpox virus virions during dissemination from animal to animal (Bergoin et al., 1971). The ATI region of the cowpox genome encodes a 160 kDa protein which forms the matrix of the ATI bodies (Funahashi et al., 1988; Patel et al., 1987). Vaccinia virus, though containing a homologous region in its genome, generally does not produce ATI. In WR strain of vaccinia, the ATI region of the genome is translated as a 94 kDa protein (Patel et al., 1988). In Copenhagen strain of vaccinia virus, most of the DNA sequences corresponding to the ATI region are deleted, with the remaining 3′ end of the region fused with sequences upstream from the ATI region to form open reading frame (ORF) A26L (Goebel et al., 1990a,b).

A variety of spontaneous (Altenburger et al., 1989; Drillien et al., 1981; Lai et al., 1989; Moss et al., 1981; Paez et al., 1985; Panicali et al., 1981) and engineered (Perkus et al., 1991; Perkus et al., 1989; Perkus et al., 1986) deletions have been reported near the left end of the vaccinia virus genome. A WR strain of vaccinia virus with a 10 kb spontaneous deletion (Moss et al., 1981; Panicali et al., 1981) was shown to be attenuated by intracranial inoculation in mice (Buller et al., 1985). This deletion was later shown to include 17 potential ORFs (Kotwal et al., 1988b). Specific genes within the deleted region include the virokine N1L and a 35 kDa protein (C3L, by the terminology reported in Goebel et al., 1990a,b). Insertional inactivation of N1L reduces virulence by intracranial inoculation for both normal and nude mice (Kotwal et al., 1989a). The 35 kDa protein is secreted like N1L into the medium of vaccinia virus infected cells. The protein contains homology to the family of complement control proteins, particularly the complement 4B binding protein (C4bp) (Kotwal et al., 1988a). Like the cellular C4bp, the vaccinia 35 kDa protein binds the fourth component of complement and inhibits the classical complement cascade (Kotwal et al., 1990). Thus the vaccinia 35 kDa protein appears to be involved in aiding the virus in evading host defense mechanisms.

The left end of the vaccinia genome includes two genes which have been identified as host range genes, K1L (Gillard et al., 1986) and C7L (Perkus et al., 1990). Deletion of both of these genes reduces the ability of vaccinia virus to grow on a variety of human cell lines (Perkus et al., 1990).

Two additional vaccine vector systems involve the use of naturally host-restricted poxviruses, avipoxviruses. Both fowlpoxvirus (FPV) and canarypoxvirus (CPV) have been engineered to express foreign gene products. Fowlpox virus (FPV) is the prototypic virus of the Avipox genus of the Poxvirus family. The virus causes an economically important disease of poultry which has been well controlled since the 1920's by the use of live attenuated vaccines. Replication of the avipox viruses is limited to avian species (Matthews, 1982b) and there are no reports in the literature of avipoxvirus causing a productive infection in any non-avian species including man. This host restriction provides an inherent safety barrier to transmission of the virus to other species and makes use of avipoxvirus based vaccine vectors in veterinary and human applications an attractive proposition.

FPV has been used advantageously as a vector expressing antigens from poultry pathogens. The hemagglutinin protein of a virulent avian influenza virus was expressed in an FPV recombinant (Taylor et al., 1988a). After inoculation of the recombinant into chickens and turkeys, an immune response was induced which was protective against either a homologous or a heterologous virulent influenza virus challenge (Taylor et al., 1988a). FPV recombinants expressing the surface glycoproteins of Newcastle Disease Virus have also been developed (Taylor et al., 1990; Edbauer et al., 1990).

Despite the host-restriction for replication of FPV and CPV to avian systems, recombinants derived from these viruses were found to express extrinsic proteins in cells of nonavian origin. Further, such recombinant viruses were shown to elicit immunological responses directed towards the foreign gene product and where appropriate were shown to afford protection from challenge against the corresponding pathogen (Tartaglia et al., 1993 a,b; Taylor et al., 1992; 1991b; 1988b).

In the past, viruses have been shown to have utility in cancer immunotherapy, in that, they provide a means of enhancing tumor immunoresponsiveness. Examples exist showing that viruses such as Newcastle disease virus (Cassel et al., 1983), influenza virus (Lindenmann, 1974; Lindenmann, 1967), and vaccinia virus (Wallack et al., 1986; Shimizu et al., 1988; Shimizu et al. 1984; Fujiwara et al., 1984) may act as tumor-modifying antigens or adjuvants resulting in inducing tumor-specific and tumor-nonspecific immune effector mechanisms. Due to advances in the fields of immunology, tumor biology, and molecular biology, however, such approaches have yielded to more directed immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer. Genetic modification of tumor cells and immune effector cells (i.e. tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; TILs) to express, for instance cytokines, have provided encouraging results in animal models and humans with respect to augmenting tumor-directed immune responses (Pardoll, 1992; Rosenberg, 1992). Further, the definition of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) has provided the opportunity to investigate their role in the immunobiology of certain cancers which may eventually be applied to their use in cancer prevention or therapy (van der Bruggen, 1992).

Advances in the use of eukaryotic vaccine vectors have provided a renewed interest in viruses in cancer prevention and therapy. Among the viruses engineered to express foreign gene products are adenoviruses, adeno-associated virus, baculovirus, herpesviruses, poxviruses, and retroviruses. Most notably, retrovirus-, adenovirus-, and poxvirus-based recombinant viruses have been developed with the intent of in vivo utilization in the areas of vector-based vaccines, gene therapy, and cancer therapy (Tartaglia, in press; Tartaglia, 1990).

Immunotherapeutic approaches to combat cancers or neoplasia can take the form of classical vaccination schemes or cell-based therapies. Immunotherapeutic vaccination is the concept of inducing or enhancing immune responses of the cancer patient to antigenic determinants that are uniquely expressed or expressed at increased levels on tumor cells. Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are usually of such weak immunogenicity as to allow progression of the tumor unhindered by the patient's immune system. Under normal circumstances, the severity of the disease-state associated with the tumor progresses more rapidly than the elaboration of immune responses, if any, to the tumor cells. Consequently, the patient may succumb to the neoplasia before a sufficient immune response is mounted to control and prevent growth and spread of the tumor.

Poxvirus vector technology has been utilized to elicit immunological responses to TAAs. Examples exist demonstrating the effectiveness of poxvirus-based recombinant viruses expressing TAAs in animal models in the immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy of experimentally-induced tumors. The gene encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was isolated from human colon tumor cells and inserted into the vaccinia virus genome (Kaufman et al., 1991). Inoculation of the vaccinia-based CEA recombinant elicited CEA-specific antibodies and an antitumor effect in a murine mouse model. This recombinant virus has been shown to elicit humoral and cell-mediated responses in rhesus macaques (Kantor et al., 1993). The human melanoma TAA, p97, has also been inserted into vaccinia virus and shown to protect mice from tumor transplants (Hu et al., 1988; Estin et al., 1988). A further example was described by Bernards et al. (1987). These investigators constructed a vaccinia recombinant that expressed the extracellular domain of the rat neu-encoded transmembrane glycoprotein, p185. Mice immunized with this recombinant virus developed a strong humoral response against the neu gene product and were protected against subsequent tumor challenge. Vaccinia virus recombinants expressing either a secreted or membrane-anchored form of a breast cancer-associated epithelial tumor antigen (ETA) have been generated for evaluation in the active immunotherapy of breast cancer (Hareuveni et al., 1991; 1990). These recombinant viruses have been shown to elicit anti-ETA antibodies in mice and to protect mice against a tumorigenic challenge with a ras-transformed Fischer rat fibroblast line expressing either form of ETA (Hareuveni et al., 1990). Further, vaccinia virus recombinants expressing the polyoma virus-derived T-Ag were shown efficacious for prevention and therapy in a mouse tumor model system (Lathe et al., 1987).

Recombinant vaccinia viruses have also been used to express cytokine genes (Reviewed by Ruby et al., 1992). Expression of certain cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α) lead to self-limiting vaccinia virus infection in mice and, in essence, act to attenuate the virus. Expression of other cytokines (i.e. IL-5, IL-6) were found to modulate the immune response to co-expressed extrinsic immunogens (Reviewed by Ruby et al., 1992).

Frequently, immune responses against tumor cells are mediated by T cells, particularly cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs); white blood cells capable of killing tumor cells and virus-infected cells (Greenberg, 1991). The behavior of CTLs is regulated by soluble factors termed cytokines. Cytokines direct the growth, differentiation, and functional properties of CTLs, as well as, other immune effector cells.

Cell-based immunotherapy has been shown to provide effective therapy for viruses and tumors in animal models (Greenberg, 1991; Pardoll, 1992; Riddel et al., 1992). Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CTL clones from bone marrow donors have recently been isolated. These clones were propagated and expanded in vitro and ultimately returned to immunodeficient bone marrow patients. These transferred CMV-specific CTL clones provided no toxic-effects and provided persistent reconstitution of CD8⁺ CMV-specific CTL responses preventing CMV infection in the transplant patient (Riddel et al., 1992).

There exists two forms of cell-based immunotherapy. These are adoptive immunotherapy, which involves the expansion of tumor reactive lymphocytes in vitro and reinfusion into the host, and active immunotherapy, which involves immunization of tumor cells to potentially enhance existing or to elicit novel tumor-specific immune responses and provide systemic anti-tumor immunity. Immunotherapeutic vaccination is the concept of inducing or enhancing immune responses of the cancer patient to antigenic determinants that are uniquely expressed or expressed at increased levels on tumor cells.

It can be appreciated that provision of novel strains, such as NYVAC, ALVAC, and TROVAC having enhanced safety would be a highly desirable advance over the current state of technology. For instance, so as to provide safer vaccines or safer products from the expression of a gene or genes by a virus.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide modified recombinant viruses, which viruses have enhanced safety, and to provide a method of making such recombinant viruses.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a recombinant poxvirus vaccine having an increased level of safety compared to known recombinant poxvirus vaccines.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a modified vector for expressing a gene product in a host, wherein the vector is modified so that it has attenuated virulence in the host.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method for expressing a gene product in a cell cultured in vitro using a modified recombinant virus or modified vector having an increased level of safety.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent after consideration of the following.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a modified recombinant virus having inactivated virus-encoded genetic functions so that the recombinant virus has attenuated virulence and enhanced safety. The functions can be non-essential, or associated with virulence. The virus is advantageously a poxvirus, particularly a vaccinia virus or an avipox virus, such as fowlpox virus and canarypox virus. The modified recombinant virus can include, within a non-essential region of the virus genome, a heterologous DNA sequence which encodes an antigenic protein, e.g., derived from a pathogen, a tumor associated antigen, a cytokine, or combination thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a vaccine for inducing an antigenic response in a host animal inoculated with the vaccine, said vaccine including a carrier and a modified recombinant virus having inactivated nonessential virus-encoded genetic functions so that the recombinant virus has attenuated virulence and enhanced safety. The virus used in the vaccine according to the present invention is advantageously a poxvirus, particularly a vaccinia virus or an avipox virus, such as fowlpox virus and canarypox virus. The modified recombinant virus can include, within a non-essential region of the virus genome, a heterologous DNA sequence which encodes an antigenic protein, e.g., derived from a pathogen, a tumor associated antigen, a cytokine, or combination thereof.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an immunogenic composition containing a modified recombinant virus having inactivated nonessential virus-encoded genetic functions so that the recombinant virus has attenuated virulence and enhanced safety. The modified recombinant virus includes, within a non-essential region of the virus genome, a heterologous DNA sequence which encodes an antigenic protein (e.g., derived from a pathogen, a tumor associated antigen, a cytokine, or combination thereof) wherein the composition, when administered to a host, is capable of inducing an immunological response specific to the protein encoded by the pathogen.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for expressing a gene product in a cell cultured in vitro by introducing into the cell a modified recombinant virus having attenuated virulence and enhanced safety. The modified recombinant virus can include, within a non-essential region of the virus genome, a heterologous DNA sequence which encodes an antigenic protein, e.g., derived from a pathogen, a tumor associated antigen, a cytokine, or combination thereof.

In a still further aspect, the present invention relates to a modified recombinant virus having nonessential virus-encoded genetic functions inactivated therein so that the virus has attenuated virulence, and wherein the modified recombinant virus further contains DNA from a heterologous source in a nonessential region of the virus genome. The DNA can code for a tumor associated antigen, a cytokine, or a combination thereof. In particular, the genetic functions are inactivated by deleting an open reading frame encoding a virulence factor or by utilizing naturally host restricted viruses. The virus used according to the present invention is advantageously a poxvirus, particularly a vaccinia virus or an avipox virus, such as fowlpox virus and canarypox virus. Advantageously, the open reading frame is selected from the group consisting of J2R, B13R+B14R, A26L, A56R, C7L-K1L, and I4L (by the terminology reported in Goebel et al., 1990a,b); and, the combination thereof. In this respect, the open reading frame comprises a thymidine kinase gene, a hemorrhagic region, an A type inclusion body region, a hemagglutinin gene, a host range gene region or a large subunit, ribonucleotide reductase; or, the combination thereof. The modified Copenhagen strain of vaccinia virus is identified as NYVAC (Tartaglia et al., 1992).

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a recombinant vaccinia or avipox virus which contains exogenous DNA encoding at least one of human tumor necrosis factor; nuclear phosphoprotein p53, wildtype or mutant; human melanoma associated antigen; IL-2; IFNγ; IL-4; GMCSF; IL-12; B7; erb-B-2 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a recombinant vaccinia virus such as NYVAC which contains exogenous DNA encoding B7 and CEA. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a recombinant avipox virus such as the canarypox ALVAC which contains exogenous DNA encoding B7 and CEA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pSD460 for deletion of thymidine kinase gene and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP410;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pSD486 for deletion of hemorrhagic region and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP553;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pMP494Ä for deletion of ATI region and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP618;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pSD467 for deletion of hemagglutinin gene and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP723;

FIG. 5 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pMPCK1Ä for deletion of gene cluster [C7L-K1L] and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP804;

FIG. 6 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pSD548 for deletion of large subunit, ribonucleotide reductase and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP866 (NYVAC);

FIG. 7 schematically shows a method for the construction of plasmid pRW842 for insertion of rabies glycoprotein G gene into the TK deletion locus and generation of recombinant vaccinia virus vP879;

FIG. 8 shows the DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:68) of a canarypox PvuII fragment containing the C5 ORF.

FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically show a method for the construction of recombinant canarypox virus vCP65 (ALVAC-RG);

FIG. 10 shows schematically the ORFs deleted to generate NYVAC;

FIG. 11 shows the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:77) of a fragment of TROVAC DNA containing an F8 ORF;

FIG. 12 shows the DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:78) of a 2356 base pair fragment of TROVAC DNA containing the F7 ORF;

FIGS. 13A to 13D show graphs of rabies neutralizing antibody titers (RFFIT, IU/ml), booster effect of HDC and vCP65 (10^(5.5) TCID50) in volunteers previously immunized with either the same or the alternate vaccine (vaccines given at days 0, 28 and 180, antibody titers measured at days 0, 7, 28, 35, 56, 173, 187 and 208);

FIG. 14A to 14C show the nucleotide sequence of a 7351 bp fragment containing the ALVAC C3 insertion site (SEQ ID NO:127);

FIG. 15 shows the nucleotide sequences of H6/TNF-α expression cassette and flanking regions from vCP245 (SEQ ID NO:79);

FIG. 16 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/TNF-α expression cassette and flanking regions from vP1200 (SEQ ID NO:89);

FIG. 17 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/p53 (wildtype) expression cassette and flanking regions from vP1101 (SEQ ID NO:99);

FIG. 18 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/p53 (wildtype) expression cassette and flanking regions from vCP207 (SEQ ID NO:99);

FIG. 19 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/MAGE-1 expression cassette and flanking region from vCP235 (SEQ ID NO:109);

FIG. 20 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/MAGE-1 expression cassette and flanking regions from pMAW037 (SEQ ID NO:110);

FIGS. 21A and B show the nucleotide sequence of the p126.15 SERA cDNA insert along with the predicted amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NOS:119; 120);

FIG. 22 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/CEA expression cassette and flanking regions from pH6.CEA.C3.2 (SEQ ID NO:144);

FIG. 23 shows the nucleotide sequence of the H6/CEA expression cassette and flanking regions from pH6.CEA.HA (SEQ ID NO:145);

FIG. 24 shows the nucleotide sequence of murine IL-2 from the translation initiation codon through the stop codon (SEQ ID NO:150);

FIG. 25 shows the corrected nucleotide sequence of human IL-2 from the translation initiation codon through the stop codon (SEQ ID NO:159);

FIG. 26 shows the nucleotide sequence of the I3L/murine IFNã expression cassette (SEQ ID NO:163);

FIG. 27 shows the nucleotide sequence of the I3L/human IFNã expression cassette (SEQ ID NO:168);

FIG. 28 shows the nucleotide sequence of the canarypox insert in pC6HIII3kb (SEQ ID NO:169);

FIG. 29 shows the nucleotide sequence pC6L (SEQ ID NO:174);

FIG. 30 shows the nucleotide sequence of the E3L/murine IL-4 expression cassette (SEQ ID NO:178);

FIG. 31 shows the nucleotide sequence of the expression cassette comprising the E3L promoted human IL-4 gene (SEQ ID NO:186);

FIG. 32 shows the nucleotide sequence of the vaccinia E3L/hGMCSF expression cassette (SEQ ID NO:191);

FIG. 33 shows the sequence of the EPV 42 kDa/human IL-12 P40 expression cassette (SEQ ID NO:194);

FIG. 34 shows the nucleotide sequence of the vaccinia E3L/human IL-12 P35 expression cassette (SEQ ID NO:199);

FIG. 35 shows the nucleotide sequence of the murine B7 gene (SEQ ID NO:202);

FIG. 36 shows flow cytometric analysis of murine B7 expression in NYVAC and ALVAC infected murine tumor cell lines;

FIG. 37 shows the nucleotide sequence for the human B7 gene (SEQ ID NO:207);

FIG. 38 shows the murine p53 gene (SEQ ID NO:214); and

FIG. 39 shows the coding sequence for the human p53 gene (SEQ ID NO:215).

FIG. 40 shows materials used in the study.

FIG. 41. IL2 Production by RM1 prostate tumor cells infected with ALVAC at the indicated virus; tumor ratios. The data show a high level of production of IL2 by the prostate tumor cell line.

FIG. 42. Flow cytometry analysis of RM1 cells infected with ALVAC-B7. The data show a clear cell surface of B7 by the infected cells.

FIG. 43. Effects of various ALVAC cytokine recombinant on RM1 prostate tumor growth. These studies show that TNF-α is superior to interferon gamma, IL2 and B7. Further studies with these single agents are found in FIGS. 44 and 45.

FIG. 44. FIG. 44 shows the incidents of tumor outgrowth for single agent vectors. Ultimately all animals develop tumors. However, TNFα exhibits the highest effects.

FIG. 45. FIG. 45 shows survival of animals in the experiments shown in FIGS. 43 and 44. All animals ultimately die of tumor, however, TNFα significantly prolonges survival.

FIG. 46. Effects of combination of cytokine therapy on tumor outgrowth. Studies were performed to assess the effedts of single cytokine vector and combinations with the previously identified TNFα. The data show TNFα combined with IL2 to provide superior therapeutic efficacy. TNFα-IL2 combination therapy induces tumor regression in three (3) of five (5) animals who remain tumor-free for greater than 100 days.

FIG. 47. Shows the growth of tumors (tumor size) in each animal treated with the combination TNFα+IL2. In some animals tumor exhibit an early growth phase with subsequent regression. These tumors never reappear (followed upto 100 days). A separated group of animals within this therapeutic group demonstrate delayed tumor outgrowth but ultimately succumbed to tumor. These observations have been confirmed in 40 mice.

FIG. 48. Demonstrates the survival of animals treated as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47. Sixty percent of animals remain tumor-free for 10 days. These are the animals in which tumor regression was observed in FIG. 47.

FIG. 49. In vitro studies to assess the effects of TNFα on RMI cells were performed. The data show that RMI cells are resistant to the direct effects of TNFα. The positive control of aL929 cells. Subsequent studies were performed with the new vectors ALVAC IL12 and ALVAC GMCSF. Studies were performed to assess the anti-tumor effects of these two vectors alone, and in combination with TNFα. The effectiveness was compared to TNFα plus IL2.

FIG. 50. The data in FIG. 50 showed delayed tumor outgrowth by all single agents (TNFα, IL12 and GMCSF). IL12 appeared to provide the most effective inhibition of tumor outgrowth as a single agent. TNFα combined with either IL2 completely inhibited tumor growth in this study. TNFα combined with GMCSF significantly inhibit tumor growth, but a reduction was inferior to TNFα plus IL2 or TNFα plus IL2. Tumor outgrowth and survival are shown in FIGS. 51 and 52 respectively.

FIGS. 51 & 52. Tumors for all groups exhibited an initial growth phase followed by regression in varying number of animals depending on the vectors used. As stated above, the most effective combination were TNFα plus IL12. These survival curves (FIG. 52) clearly show TNFα plus IL12 and TNFα plus IL2 to provide 100 percent survival for 73 days. We are continuing to follow these immunological basis for the anti-tumor activity. The vectors were studied in SCID mice. The combination of TNFα plus IL2, IL12, or GMCSF was effective in SCID mice. These data suggest that combination therapy is independent of T or B cell immunity.

FIG. 53 shows the growth pattern of tumors in normal and Scid mice. There is an initial growth phase followed by regression as was seen in previous studies in FIG. 47.

FIG. 54 provides studies or tumor size. There is a single animal in the TNF plus GMCSF group that developed a large tumor.

FIG. 55 is a representation of the same study in which tumor outgrowth is monitored. These date provide a clear indication of the growth and regression of the tumor in normal and scid mice.

FIGS. 56-59 are in vitro cytotoxic T lymphocyte assays performed on animals treated with the combinations of TNFα plus IL2, TNFα plus IL12, or TNFα plus GMCSF. Primary CTL assays were performed. These were assays performed on splenocytes immediately after harvest without in vitro stimulation. In a six hour 51 chromium release assay, no cytolytic activity is occurred in any group. If the assay is extended to 24 hours, significant lytic activity is observed for TNFα plus IL2. EL4, a antigenically distinct controlled target cell line were not lysed indicating specificity of lytic activity.

FIG. 60. Evaluation of IL-2 production by varying virus-to-cell ratios.

FIG. 61. Antitumor Effects of ALVAC Cytokine effectors.

FIG. 62. Effect of Combination Therapy with ALVAC IL2 and TNFα.

FIG. 63. Effect of varying virus-to-MBT2 cell ratios on the production of IL2.

FIG. 64. Expression of B7 in MBT2 cells after infection with ALVAC-B7 at a ratio of 5:1 (virus:tumor cell).

FIG. 65. Effect of varying ALVAC-IL2:MBT2 rations of tumor growth.

FIG. 66. Effect of immunization with ALVAC-IL2, ALVAC-B7 and the combination of ALVAC-IL2 and ALVAC-B7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To develop a new vaccinia vaccine strain, NYVAC (vP866), the Copenhagen vaccine strain of vaccinia virus was modified by the deletion of six nonessential regions of the genome encoding known or potential virulence factors. The sequential deletions are detailed below. All designations of vaccinia restriction fragments, open reading frames and nucleotide positions are based on the terminology reported in Goebel et al., 1990a,b.

The deletion loci were also engineered as recipient loci for the insertion of foreign genes.

The regions deleted in NYVAC are listed below. Also listed are the abbreviations and open reading frame designations for the deleted regions (Goebel et al., 1990a,b) and the designation of the vaccinia recombinant (vP) containing all deletions through the deletion specified:

(1) thymidine kinase gene (TK; J2R) vP410;

(2) hemorrhagic region (u; B13R+B14R) vP553;

(3) A type inclusion body region (ATI; A26L) vP618;

(4) hemagglutinin gene (HA; A56R) vP723;

(5) host range gene region (C7L−K1L) vP804; and

(6) large subunit, ribonucleotide reductase (I4L) vP866 (NYVAC).

NYVAC is a genetically engineered vaccinia virus strain that was generated by the specific deletion of eighteen open reading frames encoding gene products associated with virulence and host range. NYVAC is highly attenuated by a number of criteria including i) decreased virulence after intracerebral inoculation in newborn mice, ii) inocuity in genetically (nu⁺/nu⁺) or chemically (cyclophosphamide) immunocompromised mice, iii) failure to cause disseminated infection in immunocompromised mice, iv) lack of significant induration and ulceration on rabbit skin, v) rapid clearance from the site of inoculation, and vi) greatly reduced replication competency on a number of tissue culture cell lines including those of human origin. Nevertheless, NYVAC based vectors induce excellent responses to extrinsic immunogens and provided protective immunity.

TROVAC refers to an attenuated fowlpox that was a plaque-cloned isolate derived from the FP-1 vaccine strain of fowlpoxvirus which is licensed for vaccination of 1 day old chicks. ALVAC is an attenuated canarypox virus-based vector that was a plaque-cloned derivative of the licensed canarypox vaccine, Kanapox (Tartaglia et al., 1992). ALVAC has some general properties which are the same as some general properties of Kanapox. ALVAC-based recombinant viruses expressing extrinsic immunogens have also been demonstrated efficacious as vaccine vectors (Tartaglia et al., 1993 a,b). This avipox vector is restricted to avian species for productive replication. On human cell cultures, canarypox virus replication is aborted early in the viral replication cycle prior to viral DNA synthesis. Nevertheless, when engineered to express extrinsic immunogens, authentic expression and processing is observed in vitro in mammalian cells and inoculation into numerous mammalian species induces antibody and cellular immune responses to the extrinsic immunogen and provides protection against challenge with the cognate pathogen (Taylor et al., 1992; Taylor et al., 1991). Recent Phase I clinical trials in both Europe and the United States of a canarypox/rabies glycoprotein recombinant (ALVAC-RG) demonstrated that the experimental vaccine was well tolerated and induced protective levels of rabiesvirus neutralizing antibody titers (Cadoz et al., 1992; Fries et al., 1992). Additionally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from the ALVAC-RG vaccine demonstrated significant levels of lymphocyte proliferation when stimulated with purified rabies virus (Fries et al., 1992).

NYVAC, ALVAC and TROVAC have also been recognized as unique among all poxviruses in that the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”)(U.S. Public Health Service), Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, which issues guidelines for the physical containment of genetic material such as viruses and vectors, i.e., guidelines for safety procedures for the use of such viruses and vectors which are based upon the pathogenicity of the particular virus or vector, granted a reduction in physical containment level: from BL2 to BL1. No other poxvirus has a BL1 physical containment level. Even the Copenhagen strain of vaccinia virus—the common smallpox vaccine—has a higher physical containment level; namely, BL2. Accordingly, the art has recognized that NYVAC, ALVAC and TROVAC have a lower pathogenicity than any other poxvirus.

Both NYVAC- and ALVAC-based recombinant viruses have been shown to stimulate in vitro specific CD8⁺ CTLs from human PBMCs (Tartaglia et al., 1993a). Mice immunized with NYVAC or ALVAC recombinants expressing various forms of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein generated both primary and memory HIV specific CTL responses which could be recalled by a second inoculation (Tartaglia et al., 1993a). ALVAC-env and NYVAC-env recombinants (expressing the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein) stimulated strong HIV-specific CTL responses from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of HIV-1 infected individuals (Tartaglia et al., 1993a). Acutely infected autologous PBMC were used as stimulator cells for the remaining PBMC. After 10 days incubation in the absence of exogenous IL-2, the cells were evaluated for CTL activities. NYVAC-env and ALVAC-env stimulated high levels of anti-HIV activities. Thus, these vectors lend themselves well to ex vivo stimulation of antigen reactive lymphocytes; for example, adoptive immunotherapy such as the ex vivo expression of tumor reactive lymphocytes and reinfusion into the host (patient).

Immunization of the patient with NYVAC-, ALVAC-, or TROVAC-based recombinant viruses expressing TAAs produced by the patient's tumor cells can elicit anti-tumor immune responses more rapidly and to sufficient levels to impede or halt tumor spread and potentially eliminate the tumor burden.

Clearly based on the attenuation profiles of the NYVAC, ALVAC, and TROVAC vectors and their demonstrated ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immunological responses to extrinsic immunogens (Tartaglia et al., 1993a,b; Taylor et al., 1992; Konishi et al., 1992) such recombinant viruses offer a distinct advantage over previously described vaccinia-based recombinant viruses.

The immunization procedure for such recombinant viruses as immunotherapeutic vaccines or compositions may be via a parenteral route (intradermal, intramuscular or subcutaneous). Such an administration enables a systemic immune response against the specific TAA(s). Alternatively, the vaccine or composition may be administered directly into the tumor mass (intratumor). Such a route of administration can enhance the anti-tumor activities of lymphocytes specifically associated with tumors (Rosenberg, 1992). Immunization of the patient with NYVAC-, ALVAC- or TROVAC-based recombinant viruses expressing TAAs produced by the patient's tumor cells can elicit anti-tumor immune responses more rapidly and to sufficient levels to impede or halt tumor spread and potentially eliminate the tumor burden. The heightened tumor-specific immune response resulting from vaccinations with these poxvirus-based recombinant vaccines can result in remission of the tumor, including permanent remission of the tumor. Examples of known TAAs for which recombinant poxviruses can be generated and employed with immunotherapeutic value in accordance with this invention include, but are not limited to p53 (Hollstein et al., 1991), p21-ras (Almoguera et al., 1988), HER-2 (Fendly et al., 1990), and the melanoma-associated antigens (MAGE-1; MZE-2) (van der Bruggen et al., 1991), and p97 (Hu et al., 1988) and the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) associated with colorecteal cancer (Kantor et al., 1993; Fishbein et al., 1992; Kaufman et al., 1991).

More generally, the inventive vaccines or compositions (vaccines or compositions containing the poxvirus recombinants of the invention) can be prepared in accordance with standard techniques well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical art. Such vaccines or compositions can be administered to a patient in need of such administration in dosages and by techniques well known to those skilled in the medical arts taking into consideration such factors as the age, sex, weight, and condition of the particular patient, and the route of administration. The vaccines or compositions can be co-administered or sequentially administered with other antineoplastic, anti-tumor or anti-cancer agents and/or with agents which reduce or alleviate ill effects of antineoplastic, anti-tumor or anti-cancer agents; again taking into consideration such factors as the age, sex, weight, and condition of the particular patient, and, the route of administration.

Examples of vaccines or compositions of the invention include liquid preparations for orifice, e.g., oral, nasal, anal, vaginal, etc., administration such as suspensions, syrups or elixirs; and, preparations for parental, subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular or intravenous administration (e.g., injectable administration) such as sterile suspensions or emulsions. In such compositions the recombinant poxvirus may be in admixture with a suitable carrier, diluent, or excipient such as sterile water, physiological saline, glucose or the like. The recombinant poxvirus of the invention can be provided in lyophilized form for reconstituting, for instance, in isotonic aqueous, saline buffer. Further, the invention also comprehends a kit wherein the recombinant poxvirus is provided. The kit can include a separate container containing a suitable carrier, diluent or excipient. The kit can also include an additional anti-cancer, anti-tumor or antineoplastic agent and/or an agent which reduces or alleviates ill effects of antineoplastic, anti-tumor or anti-cancer agents for co- or sequential-administration. Additionally, the kit can include instructions for mixing or combining ingredients and/or administration.

The poxvirus vector technology provides an appealing approach towards manipulating lymphocytes and tumor cells for use in cell-based immunotherapeutic modalities for cancer. Characteristics of the NYVAC, ALVAC and TROVAC vectors providing the impetus for such applications include 1) their apparent independence for specific receptors for entry into cells, 2) their ability to express foreign genes in cell substrates despite their species- or tissue-specific origin, 3) their ability to express foreign genes independent of host cell regulation, 4) the demonstrated ability of using poxvirus recombinant viruses to amplify specific CTL reactivities from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and 5) their highly attenuated properties compared to existing vaccinia virus vaccine strains (Reviewed by Tartaglia et al., 1993a; Tartaglia et al., 1990).

The expression of specific cytokines or the co-expression of specific cytokines with TAAs by NYVAC-, ALVAC-, and TROVAC-based recombinant viruses can enhance the numbers and anti-tumor activities of CTLs associated with tumor cell depletion or elimination. Examples of cytokines which have a beneficial effect in this regard include tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-7 (IL-7) (reviewed by Pardoll, 1992). Cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) plays a major role in promoting cell mediated immunity. Secreted by the T_(H)1 subset of lymphocytes, IL-2 is a T cell growth factor which stimulates division of both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. In addition, IL-2 also has been shown to activate B cells, monocytes and natural killer cells. To a large degree the biological effects of IL-2 are due to its role in inducing production of IFNã. Recombinant vaccinia virus expressing IL-2 is attenuated in mice compared to wild-type vaccinia virus. This is due to the ability of the vaccinia-expressed IL-2 to stimulate mouse NK cells to produce IFNã, which limits the growth of the recombinant vaccinia virus (Karupiah et al., 1990). Similarly, it has been shown that inoculation of immunodeficient athymic nude mice with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing both IL-2 and the HA gene of influenza can protect these mice from subsequent challenge with influenza virus (Karupiah et al., 1992).

Cytokine interferon γ (IFNγ) is secreted by the T_(H)1 subset of lymphocytes. IFNγ promotes the T_(H)1 cell mediated immune response, while inhibiting the T_(H)2 (antibody) response. IFNγ induces the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen presenting cells, and induces the expression of the B7 costimulatory molecule on macrophages. In addition to enhancing the phagocytic activity of macrophages, IFNγ enhances the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. When expressed in replicating recombinant vaccinia virus, IFNã limits the growth of the recombinant virus. This allows T cell immunodeficient mice to resolve the infection (Kohonen-Corish et al., 1990).

Cytokine interleukin 4 (IL-4) is secreted by the T_(H)2 subset of lymphocytes. IL-4 promotes the T_(H)2 (antibody) response, while inhibiting the T_(H)1 cell mediated immune response. Recombinant vaccinia virus expressing IL-4 shows increased pathogenicity in mice compared to wild-type vaccinia virus (Ramshaw et al., 1992).

Cytokine granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) is pleiotropic. In addition to stimulating the proliferation of cells of both the granulocyte and macrophage cell lineages, GMCSF, in cross-competition with interleukins 3 and 5 (IL-3 and IL-5), influences many other aspects of hematopoiesis and may play a role in facilitation of tumor cell growth (Lopez et al., 1992). GMCSF is used clinically for hematopoietic reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation.

Cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12), formerly known as natural killer (NK) cell stimulatory factor, is a heterodimer composed of 35 kDa and 40 kDa subunits. IL-12 is produced by monocytes, macrophages, B cells and other accessory cells. IL-12 has pleiotropic effects on both NK cells and T cells. Partly through its role in inducing IFNγ production, IL-12 plays a major role in promoting the T_(H)1 cell mediated immune response, while inhibiting the T_(H)2 response (reviewed in Trinchieri, 1993). Recently, recombinant murine IL-12 has been demonstrated to have potent antitumor and antimetastatic effects in mice (Brunda et al., 1993).

B7 (BB-1), a member of the immunoglobin superfamily, is present on the surface of antigen presenting cells. Interaction of the B7 molecule on antigen presenting cells with its receptors on T cells provides costimulatory signals, including IL-2, which are necessary for T cell activation (Schwartz, 1992). Recently it was shown that experimental co-expression of B7 along with a tumor antigen on murine melanoma cells can lead to regression of tumors in mice. This was accomplished by the B7-assisted activation of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells (Chen et al, 1992).

The c-erb-B-2 gene, which is conserved among vertebrates, encodes a possible receptor protein. The 185 kDa translation product contains a kinase domain which is highly homologous to the kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. The c-erb-B-2 gene is conserved among vertebrates, and is the same as the rat neu gene, which has been detected in a number of rat neuro/glioblastomas. The human c-erb-B-2 gene, also known as HER2, is amplified in certain neoplasias, most notably breast cancer. In the gastric cancer cell line, MKN-7, both the normal 4.6 kb transcript encoding c-erb-B-2 and a 2.3 kb transcript which specifies only the extracellular domain of the putative receptor are synthesized at elevated levels (Yamamoto et al., 1986). The extracellular domain has been suggested as a potential immunogen for active specific immunotherapy of breast cancer (Fendly et al., 1990).

Utility of NYVAC-, ALVAC-, and TROVAC-based recombinant viruses expressing TAAs plus or minus specific cytokines for adoptive immunotherapy can take several forms. For one, genetic modification of PBMCs can be accomplished by vector-mediated introduction of TAAs, cytokine genes, or other genes and then directly reintroduced into the patient. Such administration relies on the drainage or movement of modified PBMCs to lymphoid tissue (i.e. spleen; lymph nodes) via the reticuloendothelial system (RES) for elicitation of the tumor-specific immune response. PBMCs modified by infection with the pertinent NYVAC-, ALVAC-, and TROVAC-based recombinant can be employed, for instance, in vitro, to expand TAA-specific CTLs for reinfusion into the patient. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) derived from the tumor mass can be isolated, expanded, and modified to express pertinent genes using NYVAC-, ALVAC-, or TROVAC-based recombinants viruses prior to reinfusion into the patient. TILs retain the capability of returning to tumors (homing) when re-introduced into the subject (Rosenberg, 1992). Thus, they provide a convenient vehicle for delivery of cytotoxic or cytostatic cytokines to tumor masses.

Cell-based active immunotherapy can also take on several potential modalities using the NYVAC-, ALVAC-, and TROVAC vectors. Tumor cells can be modified to express TAAs, cytokines, or other novel antigens (i.e. class I or class II major histocompatibility genes). Such modified tumor cells can subsequently be utilized for active immunization. The therapeutic potential for such an administration is based on the ability of these modified tumor cells to secrete cytokines and to alter the presentation of TAAs to achieve systemic anti-tumor activity. The modified tumor cells can also be utilized to expand tumor-specific CTLs in vitro for reinfusion into the patient.

A better understanding of the present invention and of its many advantages will be had from the following examples, given by way of illustration.

EXAMPLES

DNA Cloning and Synthesis. Plasmids were constructed, screened and grown by standard procedures (Maniatis et al., 1982; Perkus et al., 1985; Piccini et al., 1987). Restriction endonucleases were obtained from Bethesda Research Laboratories, Gaithersburg, Md., New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.; and Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis, Ind. Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase was obtained from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals. BAL-31 exonuclease and phage T4 DNA ligase were obtained from New England Biolabs. The reagents were used as specified by the various suppliers.

Synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides were prepared on a Biosearch 8750 or Applied Biosystems 380B DNA synthesizer as previously described (Perkus et al., 1989). DNA sequencing was performed by the dideoxy-chain termination method (Sanger et al., 1977) using Sequenase (Tabor et al., 1987) as previously described (Guo et al., 1989). DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for sequence verification (Engelke et al., 1988) was performed using custom synthesized oligonucleotide primers and GeneAmp DNA amplification Reagent Kit (Perkin Elmer Cetus, Norwalk, Conn.) in an automated Perkin Elmer Cetus DNA Thermal Cycler. Excess DNA sequences were deleted from plasmids by restriction endonuclease digestion followed by limited digestion by BAL-31 exonuclease and mutagenesis (Mandecki, 1986) using synthetic oligonucleotides.

Cells, Virus, and Transfection. The origins and conditions of cultivation of the Copenhagen strain of vaccinia virus has been previously described (Guo et al., 1989). Generation of recombinant virus by recombination, in situ hybridization of nitrocellulose filters and screening for B-galactosidase activity are as previously described (Piccini et al., 1987).

The origins and conditions of cultivation of the Copenhagen strain of vaccinia virus and NYVAC has been previously described (Guo et al., 1989; Tartaglia et al., 1992). Generation of recombinant virus by recombination, in situ hybridization of nitrocellulose filters and screening for B-galactosidase activity are as previously described (Panicali et al., 1982; Perkus et al., 1989).

The parental canarypox virus (Rentschler strain) is a vaccinal strain for canaries. The vaccine strain was obtained from a wild type isolate and attenuated through more than 200 serial passages on chick embryo fibroblasts. A master viral seed was subjected to four successive plaque purifications under agar and one plaque clone was amplified through five additional passages after which the stock virus was used as the parental virus in in vitro recombination tests. The plaque purified canarypox isolate is designated ALVAC.

The strain of fowlpox virus (FPV) designated FP-1 has been described previously (Taylor et al., 1988a). It is an attenuated vaccine strain useful in vaccination of day old chickens. The parental virus strain Duvette was obtained in France as a fowlpox scale from a chicken. The virus was attenuated by approximately 50 serial passages in chicken embryonated eggs followed by 25 passages on chicken embryo fibroblast cells. The virus was subjected to four successive plaque purifications. One plaque isolate was further amplified in primary CEF cells and a stock virus, designated as TROVAC, established.

NYVAC, ALVAC and TROVAC viral vectors and their derivatives were propagated as described previously (Piccini et al., 1987; Taylor et al., 1988a,b). Vero cells and chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) were propagated as described previously (Taylor et al., 1988a,b).

Example 1 Construction of Plasmid pSD460 for Deletion of Thymidine Kinase Gene (J2R)

Referring now to FIG. 1, plasmid pSD406 contains vaccinia HindIII J (pos. 83359-88377) cloned into pUC8. pSD406 was cut with HindIII and PvuII, and the 1.7 kb fragment from the left side of HindIII J cloned into pUC8 cut with HindIII/SmaI, forming pSD447. pSD447 contains the entire gene for J2R (pos. 83855-84385). The initiation codon is contained within an NlaIII site and the termination codon is contained within an SspI site. Direction of transcription is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1.

To obtain a left flanking arm, a 0.8 kb HindIII/EcoRI fragment was isolated from pSD447, then digested with NlaIII and a 0.5 kb HindIII/NlaIII fragment isolated. Annealed synthetic oligonucleotides MPSYN43/MPSYN44 (SEQ ID NO:1/SEQ ID NO:2)

                     SmaI MPSYN43 5′     TAATTAACTAGCTACCCGGG     3′ MPSYN44 3′ GTACATTAATTGATCGATGGGCCCTTAA 5′   NlaIII                  EcoRI

were ligated with the 0.5 kb HindIII/NlaIII fragment into pUC18 vector plasmid cut with HindIII/EcoRI, generating plasmid pSD449.

To obtain a restriction fragment containing a vaccinia right flanking arm and pUC vector sequences, pSD447 was cut with SspI (partial) within vaccinia sequences and HindIII at the pUC/vaccinia junction, and a 2.9 kb vector fragment isolated. This vector fragment was ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides MPSYN45/MPSYN46 (SEQ ID NO:3/SEQ ID NO:4)

  HindIII SmaI MPSYN45 5′ AGCTTCCCGGGTAAGTAATACGTCAAGGAGAAAACGAA MPSYN46 3′     AGGGCCCATTCATTATGCAGTTCCTCTTTTGCTT NotI              SspI   ACGATCTGTAGTTAGCGGCCGCCTAATTAACTAAT 3′ MPSYN45 TGCTAGACATCAATCGCCGGCGGATTAATTGATTA 5′ MPSYN46

generating pSD459.

To combine the left and right flanking arms into one plasmid, a 0.5 kb HindIII/SmaI fragment was isolated from pSD449 and ligated with pSD459 vector plasmid cut with HindIII/SmaI, generating plasmid pSD460. pSD460 was used as donor plasmid for recombination with wild type parental vaccinia virus Copenhagen strain VC-2. ³²P labelled probe was synthesized by primer extension using MPSYN45 (SEQ ID NO:3) as template and the complementary 20 mer oligonucleotide MPSYN47 (SEQ ID NO:5) (5′ TTAGTTAATTAGGCGGCCGC 3′) as primer. Recombinant virus vP410 was identified by plaque hybridization.

Example 2 Construction of Plasmid pSD486 For Deletion of Hemorrhagic Region (B13R+B14R)

Referring now to FIG. 2, plasmid pSD419 contains vaccinia SalI G (pos. 160,744-173,351) cloned into pUC8. pSD422 contains the contiguous vaccinia SalI fragment to the right, SalI J (pos. 173,351-182,746) cloned into pUCB. To construct a plasmid deleted for the hemorrhagic region, u, B13R-B14R (pos. 172,549-173,552), pSD419 was used as the source for the left flanking arm and pSD422 was used as the source of the right flanking arm. The direction of transcription for the u region is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2.

To remove unwanted sequences from pSD419, sequences to the left of the NcoI site (pos. 172,253) were removed by digestion of pSD419 with NcoI/SmaI followed by blunt ending with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase and ligation generating plasmid pSD476. A vaccinia right flanking arm was obtained by digestion of pSD422 with HpaI at the termination codon of B14R and by digestion with NruI 0.3 kb to the right. This 0.3 kb fragment was isolated and ligated with a 3.4 kb HincII vector fragment isolated from pSD476, generating plasmid pSD477. The location of the partial deletion of the vaccinia u region in pSD477 is indicated by a triangle. The remaining B13R coding sequences in pSD477 were removed by digestion with ClaI/HpaI, and the resulting vector fragment was ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides SD22 mer/SD20 mer (SEQ ID NO:6/SEQ ID NO:7)

   ClaI          BamHI HpaI SD22mer 5′ CGATTACTATGAAGGATCCGTT 3′ SD20mer 3′    TAATGATACTTCCTAGGCAA 5′

generating pSD479. pSD479 contains an initiation codon (underlined) followed by a BamHI site. To place E. coli Beta-galactosidase in the B13-B14 (u) deletion locus under the control of the u promoter, a 3.2 kb BamHI fragment containing the Beta-galactosidase gene (Shapira et al., 1983) was inserted into the BamHI site of pSD479, generating pSD479BG. pSD479BG was used as donor plasmid for recombination with vaccinia virus vP410. Recombinant vaccinia virus vP533 was isolated as a blue plaque in the presence of chromogenic substrate X-gal. In vP533 the B13R-B14R region is deleted and is replaced by Beta-galactosidase.

To remove Beta-galactosidase sequences from vP533, plasmid pSD486, a derivative of pSD477 containing a polylinker region but no initiation codon at the u deletion junction, was utilized. First the ClaI/HpaI vector fragment from pSD477 referred to above was ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides SD42 mer/SD40 mer (SEQ ID NO:8/SEQ ID NO:9)

   ClaI          SacI        XhoI        HpaI SD42mer 5′ CGATTACTAGATCTGAGCTCCCCGGGCTCGAGGGATCCGTT 3′ SD40mer 3′    TAATGATCTAGACTCGAGGGGCCCGAGCTCCCTAGGCAA 5′            BglII       SmaI        BamHI

generating plasmid pSD478. Next the EcoRI site at the pUC/vaccinia junction was destroyed by digestion of pSD478 with EcoRI followed by blunt ending with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase and ligation, generating plasmid pSD478E⁻. pSD478E⁻ was digested with BamHI and HpaI and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides HEM5/HEM6 (SEQ ID NO:10/SEQ ID NO:11)

  BamHI EcoRI   HpaI HEM5 5′  GATCCGAATTCTAGCT  3′ HEM6 3′      GCTTAAGATCGA  5′

generating plasmid pSD486. pSD486 was used as donor plasmid for recombination with recombinant vaccinia virus vP533, generating vP553, which was isolated as a clear plaque in the presence of X-gal.

Example 3 Construction of Plasmid pMP494Ä for Deletion of ATI Region (A26L)

Referring now to FIG. 3, pSD414 contains SalI B cloned into pUC8. To remove unwanted DNA sequences to the left of the A26L region, pSD414 was cut with XbaI within vaccinia sequences (pos. 137,079) and with HindIII at the pUC/vaccinia junction, then blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase and ligated, resulting in plasmid pSD483. To remove unwanted vaccinia DNA sequences to the right of the A26L region, pSD483 was cut with EcoRI (pos. 140,665 and at the pUC/vaccinia junction) and ligated, forming plasmid pSD484. To remove the A26L coding region, pSD484 was cut with NdeI (partial) slightly upstream from the A26L ORF (pos. 139,004) and with HpaI (pos. 137,889) slightly downstream from the A26L ORF. The 5.2 kb vector fragment was isolated and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides ATI3/ATI4 (SEQ ID NO:12/SEQ ID NO:13)

  NdeI                                                         BglII EcoRI HpaI ATI3 5′ TATGAGTAACTTAACTCTTTTGTTAATTAAAAGTATATTCAAAAAATAAGTTATATAAATAGATCTGAATTCGTT 3′ ATI3 ATI4 3′    ACTCATTGAATTGAGAAAACAATTAATTTTCATATAAGTTTTTTATTCAATATATTTATCTAGACTTAAGCAA 5′ ATI4

reconstructing the region upstream from A26L and replacing the A26L ORF with a short polylinker region containing the restriction sites BqlII, EcoRI and HpaI, as indicated above. The resulting plasmid was designated pSD485. Since the BqlII and EcoRI sites in the polylinker region of pSD485 are not unique, unwanted BqlII and EcoRI sites were removed from plasmid pSD483 (described above) by digestion with BqlII (pos. 140,136) and with EcoRI at the pUC/vaccinia junction, followed by blunt ending with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase and ligation. The resulting plasmid was designated pSD489. The 1.8 kb ClaI (pos. 137,198)/EcoRV (pos. 139,048) fragment from pSD489 containing the A26L ORF was replaced with the corresponding 0.7 kb polylinker-containing ClaI/EcoRV fragment from pSD485, generating pSD492. The BqlII and EcoRI sites in the polylinker region of pSD492 are unique.

A 3.3 kb BqlII cassette containing the E. coli Beta-galactosidase gene (Shapira et al., 1983) under the control of the vaccinia 11 kDa promoter (Bertholet et al., 1985; Perkus et al., 1990) was inserted into the BqlII site of pSD492, forming pSD493KBG. Plasmid pSD493KBG was used in recombination with rescuing virus vP553. Recombinant vaccinia virus, vP581, containing Beta-galactosidase in the A26L deletion region, was isolated as a blue plaque in the presence of X-gal.

To generate a plasmid for the removal of Beta-galactosidase sequences from vaccinia recombinant virus vP581, the polylinker region of plasmid pSD492 was deleted by mutagenesis (Mandecki, 1986) using synthetic oligonucleotide MPSYN177 (SEQ ID NO:14) (5′ AAAATGGGCGTGGATTGTTAACTTTATATAACTTATTTTTTGAATATAC 3′). In the resulting plasmid, pMP494Ä, vaccinia DNA encompassing positions [137,889-138,937], including the entire A26L ORF is deleted. Recombination between the pMP494Ä and the Beta-galactosidase containing vaccinia recombinant, vP581, resulted in vaccinia deletion mutant vP618, which was isolated as a clear plaque in the presence of X-gal.

Example 4 Construction of Plasmid pSD467 FOR Deletion of Hemagglutinin Gene (A56R)

Referring now to FIG. 4, vaccinia SalI G restriction fragment (pos. 160,744-173,351) crosses the HindIII A/B junction (pos. 162,539). pSD419 contains vaccinia SalI G cloned into pUC8. The direction of transcription for the hemagglutinin (HA) gene is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4. Vaccinia sequences derived from HindIII B were removed by digestion of pSD419 with HindIII within vaccinia sequences and at the pUC/vaccinia junction followed by ligation. The resulting plasmid, pSD456, contains the HA gene, A56R, flanked by 0.4 kb of vaccinia sequences to the left and 0.4 kb of vaccinia sequences to the right. A56R coding sequences were removed by cutting pSD456 with RsaI (partial; pos. 161,090) upstream from A56R coding sequences, and with EagI (pos. 162,054) near the end of the gene. The 3.6 kb RsaI/EagI vector fragment from pSD456 was isolated and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides MPSYN59 (SEQ ID NO:15), MPSYN62 (SEQ ID NO:16), MPSYN60 (SEQ ID NO:17), and MPSYN61 (SEQ ID NO:18)

   RsaI MPSYN59 5′ ACACGAATGATTTTCTAAAGTATTTGGAAAGTTTTATAGGTAGTTGATAGAACAAAATACATAATTT 3′ MPSYN62 3′ TGTGCTTACTAAAAGATTTCATAAACCTTTCAAAATATCCATCAACTATCT 5′                                               BglII SmaI PstI EagI MPSYN60 5′                  TGTAAAAATAAATCACTTTTTATACTAAGATCTCCCGGGCTGCAGC      3′ MPSYN61 3′ TGTTTTATGTATTAAAACATTTTTATTTAGTGAAAAATATGATTCTAGAGGGCCCGACGTCGCCGG 5′

reconstructing the DNA sequences upstream from the A56R ORF and replacing the A56R ORF with a polylinker region as indicated above. The resulting plasmid is pSD466. The vaccinia deletion in pSD466 encompasses positions [161,185-162,053]. The site of the deletion in pSD466 is indicated by a triangle in FIG. 4.

A 3.2 kb BqlII/BamHI (partial) cassette containing the E. coli Beta-galactosidase gene (Shapira et al., 1983) under the control of the vaccinia 11 kDa promoter (Bertholet et al., 1985; Guo et al., 1989) was inserted into the BqlII site of pSD466, forming pSD466KBG. Plasmid pSD466KBG was used in recombination with rescuing virus vP618. Recombinant vaccinia virus, vP708, containing Beta-galactosidase in the A56R deletion, was isolated as a blue plaque in the presence of X-gal.

Beta-galactosidase sequences were deleted from vP708 using donor plasmid pSD467. pSD467 is identical to pSD466, except that EcoRI, SmaI and BamHI sites were removed from the pUC/vaccinia junction by digestion of pSD466 with EcoRI/BamHI followed by blunt ending with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase and ligation. Recombination between vP708 and pSD467 resulted in recombinant vaccinia deletion mutant, vP723, which was isolated as a clear plaque in the presence of X-gal.

Example 5 Construction of Plasmid pMPCSK1Ä for Deletion of Open Reading Frames [C7L-K1L]

Referring now to FIG. 5, the following vaccinia clones were utilized in the construction of pMPCSK1Ä. pSD420 is SalI H cloned into pUCB. pSD435 is KpnI F cloned into pUC18. pSD435 was cut with SphI and religated, forming pSD451. In pSD451, DNA sequences to the left of the SphI site (pos. 27,416) in HindIII M are removed (Perkus et al., 1990). pSD409 is HindIII M cloned into pUCB.

To provide a substrate for the deletion of the [C7L-K1L]gene cluster from vaccinia, E. coli Beta-galactosidase was first inserted into the vaccinia M2L deletion locus (Guo et al., 1990) as follows. To eliminate the BqlII site in pSD409, the plasmid was cut with BqlII in vaccinia sequences (pos. 28,212) and with BamHI at the pUC/vaccinia junction, then ligated to form plasmid pMP409B. pMP409B was cut at the unique SphI site (pos. 27,416). M2L coding sequences were removed by mutagenesis (Guo et al., 1990; Mandecki, 1986) using synthetic oligonucleotide

MPSYN82 (SEQ ID NO:19)                           BglII 5′ TTTCTGTATATTTGCACCAATTTAGATCTT-      ACTCAAAATATGTAACAATA 3′

The resulting plasmid, pMP409D, contains a unique BqlII site inserted into the M2L deletion locus as indicated above. A 3.2 kb BamHI (partial)/BglII cassette containing the E. coli Beta-galactosidase gene (Shapira et al., 1983) under the control of the 11 kDa promoter (Bertholet et al., 1985) was inserted into pMP409D cut with BqlII. The resulting plasmid, pMP409DBG (Guo et al., 1990), was used as donor plasmid for recombination with rescuing vaccinia virus vP723. Recombinant vaccinia virus, vP784, containing Beta-galactosidase inserted into the M2L deletion locus, was isolated as a blue plaque in the presence of X-gal.

A plasmid deleted for vaccinia genes [C7L-K1L] was assembled in pUC8 cut with SmaI, HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The left flanking arm consisting of vaccinia HindIII C sequences was obtained by digestion of pSD420 with XbaI (pos. 18,628) followed by blunt ending with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase and digestion with BqlII (pos. 19,706). The right flanking arm consisting of vaccinia HindIII K sequences was obtained by digestion of pSD451 with BqlII (pos. 29,062) and EcoRV (pos. 29,778). The resulting plasmid, pMP581CK is deleted for vaccinia sequences between the BqlII site (pos. 19,706) in HindIII C and the BqlII site (pos. 29,062) in HindIII K. The site of the deletion of vaccinia sequences in plasmid pMP581CK is indicated by a triangle in FIG. 5.

To remove excess DNA at the vaccinia deletion junction, plasmid pMP581CK, was cut at the NcoI sites within vaccinia sequences (pos. 18,811; 19,655), treated with Bal-31 exonuclease and subjected to mutagenesis (Mandecki, 1986) using synthetic oligonucleotide MPSYN233 (SEQ ID NO:20) 5′-TGTCATTTAACACTATACTCATATTAATAAAAATAATATTTATT-3′. The resulting plasmid, pMPCSK1Ä, is deleted for vaccinia sequences positions 18,805-29,108, encompassing 12 vaccinia open reading frames [C7L - K1L]. Recombination between pMPCSK1Ä and the Beta-galactosidase containing vaccinia recombinant, vP784, resulted in vaccinia deletion mutant, vP804, which was isolated as a clear plaque in the presence of X-gal.

Example 6 Construction of Plasmid pSD548 for Deletion of Large Subunit, Ribonucleotide Reductase (I4L)

Referring now to FIG. 6, plasmid pSD405 contains vaccinia HindIII I (pos. 63, 875-70,367) cloned in pUC8. pSD405 was digested with EcoRV within vaccinia sequences (pos. 67,933) and with SmaI at the pUC/vaccinia junction, and ligated, forming plasmid pSD518. pSD518 was used as the source of all the vaccinia restriction fragments used in the construction of pSD548.

The vaccinia I4L gene extends from position 67,371-65,059. Direction of transcription for I4L is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6. To obtain a vector plasmid fragment deleted for a portion of the I4L coding sequences, pSD518 was digested with BamHI (pos. 65,381) and HpaI (pos. 67,001) and blunt ended using Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. This 4.8 kb vector fragment was ligated with a 3.2 kb SmaI cassette containing the E. coli Beta-galactosidase gene (Shapira et al., 1983) under the control of the vaccinia 11 kDa promoter (Bertholet et al., 1985; Perkus et al., 1990), resulting in plasmid pSD524KBG. pSD524KBG was used as donor plasmid for recombination with vaccinia virus vP804. Recombinant vaccinia virus, vP855, containing Beta-galactosidase in a partial deletion of the I4L gene, was isolated as a blue plaque in the presence of X-gal.

To delete Beta-galactosidase and the remainder of the I4L ORF from vP855, deletion plasmid pSD548 was constructed. The left and right vaccinia flanking arms were assembled separately in pUC8 as detailed below and presented schematically in FIG. 6.

To construct a vector plasmid to accept the left vaccinia flanking arm, pUC8 was cut with BamHI/EcoRI and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides 518A1/518A2 (SEQ ID NO:21/SEQ ID NO:22)

    BamHI   RsaI                                                  BglII    EcoRI 518A1 5′ GATCCTGAGTACTTTGTAATATAATGATATATATTTTCACTTTATCTCATTTGAGAATAAAAAGATCTTAGG     3′ 518A1 518A2 3′     GACTCATGAAACATTATATTACTATATATAAAAGTGAAATAGAGTAAACTCTTATTTTTCTAGAATCCTTAA 5′ 518A2

forming plasmid pSD531. pSD531 was cut with RsaI (partial) and BamHI and a 2.7 kb vector fragment isolated. pSD518 was cut with BqlII (pos. 64,459)/RsaI (pos. 64,994) and a 0.5 kb fragment isolated. The two fragments were ligated together, forming pSD537, which contains the complete vaccinia flanking arm left of the I4L coding sequences.

To construct a vector plasmid to accept the right vaccinia flanking arm, pUC8 was cut with BamHI/EcoRI and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides 518B1/518B2 (SEQ ID NO:23/SEQ ID NO:24)

   BamHI BglII SmaI                                                RsaI    EcoRI 518B1 5′ GATCCAGATCTCCCGGGAAAAAATTATTTAACTTTTCATTAATAGGGATTTGACGTATGTAGCGTACTAGG       3′ 518B1 518B2 3′      GTCTAGAGGGCCCTTTTTTTAATAAATTGAAAAGTAATTATCCCTAAACTGCATACTACGCATGATCCTTAA 5′ 518B2

forming plasmid pSD532. pSD532 was cut with RsaI (partial)/EcoRI and a 2.7 kb vector fragment isolated. pSD518 was cut with RsaI within vaccinia sequences (pos. 67,436) and EcoRI at the vaccinia/pUC junction, and a 0.6 kb fragment isolated. The two fragments were ligated together, forming pSD538, which contains the complete vaccinia flanking arm to the right of I4L coding sequences.

The right vaccinia flanking arm was isolated as a 0.6 kb EcoRI/BqlII fragment from pSD538 and ligated into pSD537 vector plasmid cut with EcoRI/BqlII. In the resulting plasmid, pSD539, the I4L ORF (pos. 65, 047-67,386) is replaced by a polylinker region, which is flanked by 0.6 kb vaccinia DNA to the left and 0.6 kb vaccinia DNA to the right, all in a pUC background. The site of deletion within vaccinia sequences is indicated by a triangle in FIG. 6. To avoid possible recombination of Beta-galactosidase sequences in the pUC-derived portion of pSD539 with Beta-galactosidase sequences in recombinant vaccinia virus vP855, the vaccinia I4L deletion cassette was moved from pSD539 into pRC11, a pUC derivative from which all Beta-galactosidase sequences have been removed and replaced with a polylinker region (Colinas et al., 1990). pSD539 was cut with EcoRI/PstI and the 1.2 kb fragment isolated. This fragment was ligated into pRC11 cut with EcoRI/PstI (2.35 kb), forming pSD548. Recombination between pSD548 and the Beta-galactosidase containing vaccinia recombinant, vP855, resulted in vaccinia deletion mutant vP866, which was isolated as a clear plaque in the presence of X-gal.

DNA from recombinant vaccinia virus vP866 was analyzed by restriction digests followed by electrophoresis on an agarose gel. The restriction patterns were as expected. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) (Engelke et al., 1988) using vP866 as template and primers flanking the six deletion loci detailed above produced DNA fragments of the expected sizes. Sequence analysis of the PCR generated fragments around the areas of the deletion junctions confirmed that the junctions were as expected. Recombinant vaccinia virus vP866, containing the six engineered deletions as described above, was designated vaccinia vaccine strain “NYVAC.”

Example 7 Insertion of a Rabies Glycoprotein G Gene into NYVAC

The gene encoding rabies glycoprotein G under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter (Taylor et al., 1988a,b) was inserted into TK deletion plasmid pSD513. pSD513 is identical to plasmid pSD460 (FIG. 1) except for the presence of a polylinker region.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the polylinker region was inserted by cutting pSD460 with SmaI and ligating the plasmid vector with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides VQ1A/VQ1B (SEQ ID NO:25/SEQ ID NO:26)

   SmaI BglII  XhoI  PstI  NarI  BamHI VQ1A 5′ GGGAGATCTCTCGAGCTGCAGGGCGCCGGATCCTTTTTCT 3′ VQ1B 3′ CCCTCTAGAGAGCTCGACGTCCCGCGGCCTAGGAAAAAGA 5′

to form vector plasmid pSD513. pSD513 was cut with SmaI and ligated with a SmaI ended 1.8 kb cassette containing the gene encoding the rabies glycoprotein G gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter (Taylor et al., 1988a,b). The resulting plasmid was designated pRW842. pRW842 was used as donor plasmid for recombination with NYVAC rescuing virus (vP866). Recombinant vaccinia virus vP879 was identified by plaque hybridization using ³²P-labelled DNA probe to rabies glycoprotein G coding sequences.

The modified recombinant viruses of the present invention provide advantages as recombinant vaccine vectors. The attenuated virulence of the vector advantageously reduces the opportunity for the possibility of a runaway infection due to vaccination in the vaccinated individual and also diminishes transmission from vaccinated to unvaccinated individuals or contamination of the environment.

The modified recombinant viruses are also advantageously used in a method for expressing a gene product in a cell cultured in vitro by introducing into the cell the modified recombinant virus having foreign DNA which codes for and expresses gene products in the cell.

Example 8 Construction of TROVAC-NDV Expressing the Fusion and Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Glycoproteins of Newcastle Disease Virus

This example describes the development of TROVAC, a fowlpox virus vector and, of a fowlpox Newcastle Disease Virus recombinant designated TROVAC-NDV and its safety and efficacy. A fowlpox virus (FPV) vector expressing both F and HN genes of the virulent NDV strain Texas was constructed. The recombinant produced was designated TROVAC-NDV. TROVAC-NDV expresses authentically processed NDV glycoproteins in avian cells infected with the recombinant virus and inoculation of day old chicks protects against subsequent virulent NDV challenge.

Cells and Viruses. The Texas strain of NDV is a velogenic strain. Preparation of cDNA clones of the F and HN genes has been previously described (Taylor et al., 1990; Edbauer et al., 1990). The strain of FPV designated FP-1 has been described previously (Taylor et al., 1988a). It is a vaccine strain useful in vaccination of day old chickens. The parental virus strain Duvette was obtained in France as a fowlpox scab from a chicken. The virus was attenuated by approximately 50 serial passages in chicken embryonated eggs followed by 25 passages on chicken embryo fibroblast cells. The virus was subjected to four successive plaque purifications. One plaque isolate was further amplified in primary CEF cells and a stock virus, designated as TROVAC, established. The stock virus used in the in vitro recombination test to produce TROVAC-NDV had been subjected to twelve passages in primary CEF cells from the plaque isolate.

Construction of a Cassette for NDV-F. A 1.8 kbp BamHI fragment containing all but 22 nucleotides from the 5′ end of the F protein coding sequence was excised from pNDV81 (Taylor et al., 1990) and inserted at the BamHI site of pUC18 to form pCE13. The vaccinia virus H6 promoter previously described (Taylor et al., 1988a,b; Guo et al., 1989; Perkus et al., 1989) was inserted into pCE13 by digesting pCE13 with SalI, filling in the sticky ends with Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase and digesting with HindIII. A HindIII-EcoRV fragment containing the H6 promoter sequence was then inserted into pCE13 to form pCE38. A perfect 5′ end was generated by digesting pCE38 with KpnI and NruI and inserting the annealed and kinased oligonucleotides CE75 (SEQ ID NO:27) and CE76 (SEQ ID NO:28) to generate pCE47.

CE75: CGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGGCTCCAGATCTTCTACCAGGATCCCGGTAC

CE76: CGGGATCCTGGTAGAAGATCTGGAGCCCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCG.

In order to remove non-coding sequence from the 3′ end of the NDV-F a SmaI to PstI fragment from pCE13 was inserted into the SmaI and PstI sites of pUC18 to form pCE23. The non-coding sequences were removed by sequential digestion of pCE23 with SacI, BamHI, Exonuclease III, SI nuclease and EcoRI. The annealed and kinased oligonucleotides CE42 (SEQ ID NO:29) and CE43 (SEQ ID NO:30) were then inserted to form pCE29.

CE42: AATTCGAGCTCCCCGGG

CE43: CCCGGGGAGCTCG

The 3′ end of the NDV-F sequence was then inserted into plasmid pCE20 already containing the 5′ end of NDV-F by cloning a PstI-SacI fragment from pCE29 into the PstI and SacI sites of pCE20 to form pCE32. Generation of pCE20 has previously been described in Taylor et al., 1990.

In order to align the H6 promoter and NDV-F 5′ sequences contained in pCE47 with the 3′ NDV-F sequences contained in pCE32, a HindIII-PstI fragment of pCE47 was inserted into the HindIII and PstI sites of pCE32 to form pCE49. The H6 promoted NDV-F sequences were then transferred to the de-ORFed F8 locus (described below) by cloning a HindIII-NruI fragment from pCE49 into the HindIII and SmaI sites of pJCA002 (described below) to form pCE54. Transcription stop signals were inserted into pCE54 by digesting pCE54 with SacI, partially digesting with BamHI and inserting the annealed and kinased oligonucleotides CE166 (SEQ ID NO:31) and CE167 (SEQ ID NO:32) to generate pCE58.

CE166: CTTTTTATAAAAAGTTAACTACGTAG

CE167: GATCCTACGTAGTTAACTTTTTATAAAAAGAGCT

A perfect 3′ end for NDV-F was obtained by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with pCE54 as template and oligonucleotides CE182 (SEQ ID NO:33) and CE183 (SEQ ID NO:34) as primers.

CE182: CTTAACTCAGCTGACTATCC

CE183: TACGTAGTTAACTTTTTATAAAAATCATATTTTTGTAGTGGCTC

The PCR fragment was digested with PvuII and HpaI and cloned into pCE58 that had been digested with HpaI and partially digested with PvuII. The resulting plasmid was designated pCE64. Translation stop signals were inserted by cloning a HindIII-HpaI fragment which contains the complete H6 promoter and F coding sequence from pCE64 into the HindIII and HpaI sites of pRW846 to generate pCE71, the final cassette for NDV-F. Plasmid pRW846 is essentially equivalent to plasmid pJCA002 (described below) but containing the H6 promoter and transcription and translation stop signals. Digestion of pRW846 with HindIII and HpaI eliminates the H6 promoter but leaves the stop signals intact.

Construction of Cassette for NDV-HN. Construction of plasmid pRW802 was previously described in Edbauer et al., 1990. This plasmid contains the NDV-HN sequences linked to the 3′ end of the vaccinia virus H6 promoter in a pUC9 vector. A HindIII-EcoRV fragment encompassing the 5′ end of the vaccinia virus H6 promoter was inserted into the HindIII and EcoRV sites of pRW802 to form pRW830. A perfect 3′ end for NDV-HN was obtained by inserting the annealed and kinased oligonucleotides CE162 (SEQ ID NO:35) and CE163 (SEQ ID NO:36) into the EcoRI site of pRW830 to form pCE59, the final cassette for NDV-HN.

CE162: AATTCAGGATCGTTCCTTTACTAGTTGAGATTCTCAAGGATGATGGGATTTAATTTTTATAAGCTTG

CE163: AATTCAAGCTTATAAAAATTAAATCCCATCATCCTTGAGAATCTCAACTAGTAAAGGAACGATCCTG

Construction of FPV Insertion Vector. Plasmid pRW731-15 contains a 10 kb PvuII-PvuII fragment cloned from genomic DNA. The nucleotide sequence was determined on both strands for a 3660 bp PvuII-EcoRV fragment. The limits of an open reading frame designated here as F8 were determined. Plasmid pRW761 is a sub-clone of pRW731-15 containing a 2430 bp EcoRV-EcoRV fragment. The F8 ORF was entirely contained between an XbaI site and an SspI site in pRW761. In order to create an insertion plasmid which on recombination with TROVAC genomic DNA would eliminate the F8 ORF, the following steps were followed. Plasmid pRW761 was completely digested with XbaI and partially digested with SspI. A 3700 bp XbaI-SspI band was isolated from the gel and ligated with the annealed double-stranded oligonucleotides JCA017 (SEQ ID NO:37) and JCA018 (SEQ ID NO:38).

JCA017:5′ CTAGACACTTTATGTTTTTTAATATCCGGTCTTAAAAGCTTCCCGGGGATCCTTATACGGGGAATAAT

JCA018:5′ ATTATTCCCCGTATAAGGATCCCCCGGGAAGCTTTTAAGACCGGATATTAAAAAACATAAAGTGT

The plasmid resulting from this ligation was designated pJCA002.

Construction of Double Insertion Vector for NDV F and HN. The H6 promoted NDV-HN sequence was inserted into the H6 promoted NDV-F cassette by cloning a HindIII fragment from pCE59 that had been filled in with Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase into the HpaI site of pCE71 to form pCE80. Plasmid pCE80 was completely digested with NdeI and partially digested with BqlII to generate an NdeI-BqlII 4760 bp fragment containing the NDV F and HN genes both driven by the H6 promoter and linked to F8 flanking arms. Plasmid pJCA021 was obtained by inserting a 4900 bp PvuII-HindII fragment from pRW731-15 into the SmaI and HindII sites of pBSSK+. Plasmid pJCA021 was then digested with NdeI and BqlII and ligated to the 4760 bp NdeI-BqlII fragment of pCE80 to form pJCA024. Plasmid pJCA024 therefore contains the NDV-F and HN genes inserted in opposite orientation with 3′ ends adjacent between FPV flanking arms. Both genes are linked to the vaccinia virus H6 promoter. The right flanking arm adjacent to the NDV-F sequence consists of 2350 bp of FPV sequence. The left flanking arm adjacent to the NDV-HN sequence consists of 1700 bp of FPV sequence.

Development of TROVAC-NDV. Plasmid pJCA024 was transfected into TROVAC infected primary CEF cells by using the calcium phosphate precipitation method previously described (Panicali et al., 1982; Piccini et al., 1987). Positive plaques were selected on the basis of hybridization to specific NDV-F and HN radiolabelled probes and subjected to five sequential rounds of plaque purification until a pure population was achieved. One representative plaque was then amplified and the resulting TROVAC recombinant was designated TROVAC-NDV (vFP96).

Immunofluorescence. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed as described (Taylor et al., 1990) using a polyclonal anti-NDV serum and, as mono-specific reagents, sera produced in rabbits against vaccinia virus recombinants expressing NDV-F or NDV-HN.

Immunoprecipitation. Immunoprecipitation reactions were performed as described (Taylor et al., 1990) using a polyclonal anti-NDV serum obtained from SPAFAS Inc., Storrs, Conn.

The stock virus was screened by in situ plaque hybridization to confirm that the F8 ORF was deleted. The correct insertion of the NDV genes into the TROVAC genome and the deletion of the F8 ORF was also confirmed by Southern blot hybridization.

In NDV-infected cells, the F glycoprotein is anchored in the membrane via a hydrophobic transmembrane region near the carboxyl terminus and requires post-translational cleavage of a precursor, F₀, into two disulfide linked polypeptides F₁ and F₂. Cleavage of F₀ is important in determining the pathogenicity of a given NDV strain (Homma and Ohuchi, 1973; Nagai et al., 1976; Nagai et al., 1980), and the sequence of amino acids at the cleavage site is therefore critical in determining viral virulence. It has been determined that amino acids at the cleavage site in the NDV-F sequence inserted into FPV to form recombinant vFP29 had the sequence Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg (SEQ ID NO:39) (Taylor et al., 1990) which conforms to the sequence found to be a requirement for virulent NDV strains (Chambers et al., 1986; Espion et al., 1987; Le et al., 1988; McGinnes and Morrison, 1986; Toyoda et al., 1987). The HN glycoprotein synthesized in cells infected with virulent strains of NDV is an uncleaved glycoprotein of 74 kDa. Extremely avirulent strains such as Ulster and Queensland encode an HN precursor (HNo) which requires cleavage for activation (Garten et al., 1980).

The expression of F and HN genes in TROVAC-NDV was analyzed to confirm that the gene products were authentically processed and presented. Indirect-immunofluorescence using a polyclonal anti-NDV chicken serum confirmed that immunoreactive proteins were presented on the infected cell surface. To determine that both proteins were presented on the plasma membrane, mono-specific rabbit sera were produced against vaccinia recombinants expressing either the F or HN glycoproteins. Indirect immunofluorescence using these sera confirmed the surface presentation of both proteins.

Immunoprecipitation experiments were performed by using (³⁵S) methionine labeled lysates of CEF cells infected with parental and recombinant viruses. The expected values of apparent molecular weights of the glycolysated forms of F₁ and F₂ are 54.7 and 10.3 kDa respectively (Chambers et al., 1986). In the immunoprecipitation experiments using a polyclonal anti-NDV serum, fusion specific products of the appropriate size were detected from the NDV-F single recombinant vFP29 (Taylor et al., 1990) and the TROVAC-NDV double recombinant vFP96. The HN glycoprotein of appropriate size was also detected from the NDV-HN single recombinant VFP-47 (Edbauer et al., 1990) and TROVAC-NDV. No NDV specific products were detected from uninfected and parental TROVAC infected CEF cells.

In CEF cells, the F and HN glycoproteins are appropriately presented on the infected cell surface where they are recognized by NDV immune serum. Immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that the F₀ protein is authentically cleaved to the F₁ and F₂ components required in virulent strains. Similarly, the HN glycoprotein was authentically processed in CEF cells infected with recombinant TROVAC-NDV.

Previous reports (Taylor et al., 1990; Edbauer et al., 1990; Boursnell et al., 1990a,b,c; Ogawa et al., 1990) would indicate that expression of either HN or F alone is sufficient to elicit protective immunity against NDV challenge. Work on other paramyxoviruses has indicated, however, that antibody to both proteins may be required for full protective immunity. It has been demonstrated that SV5 virus could spread in tissue culture in the presence of antibody to the HN glycoprotein but not to the F glycoprotein (Merz et al., 1980). In addition, it has been suggested that vaccine failures with killed measles virus vaccines were due to inactivation of the fusion component (Norrby et al., 1975). Since both NDV glycoproteins have been shown to be responsible for eliciting virus neutralizing antibody (Avery et al., 1979) and both glycoproteins, when expressed individually in a fowlpox vector are able to induce a protective immune response, it can be appreciated that the most efficacious NDV vaccine should express both glycoproteins.

Example 9 Construction of ALVAC Recombinants Expressing Rabies Virus Glycoprotein G

This example describes the development of ALVAC, a canarypox virus vector and, of a canarypox-rabies recombinant designated as ALVAC-RG (vCP65) and its safety and efficacy.

Cells and Viruses. The parental canarypox virus (Rentschler strain) is a vaccinal strain for canaries. The vaccine strain was obtained from a wild type isolate and attenuated through more than 200 serial passages on chick embryo fibroblasts. A master viral seed was subjected to four successive plaque purifications under agar and one plaque clone was amplified through five additional passages after which the stock virus was used as the parental virus in in vitro recombination tests. The plaque purified canarypox isolate is designated ALVAC.

Construction of a Canarypox Insertion Vector. An 880 bp canarypox PvuII fragment was cloned between the PvuII sites of pUC9 to form pRW764.5. The sequence of this fragment is shown in FIG. 8 between positions 1372 and 2251. The limits of an open reading frame designated as C5 were defined. It was determined that the open reading frame was initiated at position 166 within the fragment and terminated at position 487. The C5 deletion was made without interruption of open reading frames. Bases from position 167 through position 455 were replaced with the sequence (SEQ ID NO:39) GCTTCCCGGGAATTCTAGCTAGCTAGTTT. This replacement sequence contains HindIII, SmaI and EcoRI insertion sites followed by translation stops and a transcription termination signal recognized by vaccinia virus RNA polymerase (Yuen et al., 1987). Deletion of the C5 ORF was performed as described below. Plasmid pRW764.5 was partially cut with RsaI and the linear product was isolated. The RsaI linear fragment was recut with BqlII and the pRW764.5 fragment now with a RsaI to BqlII deletion from position 156 to position 462 was isolated and used as a vector for the following synthetic oligonucleotides:

RW145 (SEQ ID NO:40): ACTCTCAAAAGCTTCCCGGGAATTCTAGCTAGCTAGTTTTTATAAA

RW146 (SEQ ID NO:41): GATCTTTATAAAAACTAGCTAGCTAGAATTCCCGGGAAGCTTTTGAGAGT

Oligonucleotides RW145 and RW146 were annealed and inserted into the pRW 764.5 RsaI and BqlII vector described above. The resulting plasmid is designated pRW831.

Construction of Insertion Vector Containing the Rabies G Gene. Construction of pRW838 is illustrated below. Oligonucleotides A through E, which overlap the translation initiation codon of the H6 promoter with the ATG of rabies G, were cloned into pUC9 as pRW737. Oligonucleotides A through E contain the H6 promoter, starting at NruI, through the HindIII site of rabies G followed by BqlII. Sequences of oligonucleotides A through E ((SEQ ID NO:42)-(SEQ ID NO:46)) are:

A (SEQ ID NO:42): CTGAAATTATTTCATTATCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGTTCCTCAGGCTCTCCTGTTTGT

B (SEQ ID NO:43): CATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCGCGATAATGAAATAATTTCAG

C (SEQ ID NO:44): ACCCCTTCTGGTTTTTCCGTTGTGTTTTGGGAAATTCCCTATTTACACGATCCCAGACAAGCTTAGATCTCAG

D (SEQ ID NO:45): CTGAGATCTAAGCTTGTCTGGGATCGTGTAAATAGGGAATTTCCCAAAACA

E (SEQ ID NO:46): CAACGGAAAAACCAGAAGGGGTACAAACAGGAGAGCCTGAGGAAC

The diagram of annealed oligonucleotides A through E is as follows:

A                     C -----------------------|----------------------- ---------------|--------------|--------------- B               E              D

Oligonucleotides A through E were kinased, annealed (95° C. for 5 minutes, then cooled to room temperature), and inserted between the PvuII sites of pUC9. The resulting plasmid, pRW737, was cut with HindIII and BqlII and used as a vector for the 1.6 kbp HindIII-BqlII fragment of ptg155PRO (Kieny et al., 1984) generating pRW739. The ptg155PRO HindIII site is 86 bp downstream of the rabies G translation initiation codon. BqlII is downstream of the rabies G translation stop codon in ptg155PRO. pRW739 was partially cut with NruI, completely cut with BqlII, and a 1.7 kbp NruI-BqlII fragment, containing the 3′ end of the H6 promoter previously described (Taylor et al., 1988a,b; Guo et al., 1989; Perkus et al., 1989) through the entire rabies G gene, was inserted between the NruI and BamHI sites of pRW824. The resulting plasmid is designated pRW832. Insertion into pRW824 added the H6 promoter 5′ of NruI. The pRW824 sequence of BamHI followed by SmaI is (SEQ ID NO:47): GGATCCCCGGG. pRW824 is a plasmid that contains a nonpertinent gene linked precisely to the vaccinia virus H6 promoter. Digestion with NruI and BamHI completely excised this nonpertinent gene. The 1.8 kbp pRW832 SmaI fragment, containing H6 promoted rabies G, was inserted into the SmaI of pRW831, to form plasmid pRW838.

Development of ALVAC-RG. Plasmid pRW838 was transfected into ALVAC infected primary CEF cells by using the calcium phosphate precipitation method previously described (Panicali et al., 1982; Piccini et al., 1987). Positive plaques were selected on the basis of hybridization to a specific rabies G probe and subjected to 6 sequential rounds of plaque purification until a pure population was achieved. One representative plaque was then amplified and the resulting ALVAC recombinant was designated ALVAC-RG (vCP65) (see also FIG. 9). The correct insertion of the rabies G gene into the ALVAC genome without subsequent mutation was confirmed by sequence analysis.

Immunofluorescence. During the final stages of assembly of mature rabies virus particles, the glycoprotein component is transported from the golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane where it accumulates with the carboxy terminus extending into the cytoplasm and the bulk of the protein on the external surface of the cell membrane. In order to confirm that the rabies glycoprotein expressed in ALVAC-RG was correctly presented, immunofluorescence was performed on primary CEF cells infected with ALVAC or ALVAC-RG. Immunofluorescence was performed as previously described (Taylor et al., 1990) using a rabies G monoclonal antibody. Strong surface fluorescence was detected on CEF cells infected with ALVAC-RG but not with the parental ALVAC.

Immunoprecipitation. Preformed monolayers of primary CEF, Vero (a line of African Green monkey kidney cells ATCC # CCL81) and MRC-5 cells (a fibroblast-like cell line derived from normal human fetal lung tissue ATCC # CCL171) were inoculated at 10 pfu per cell with parental virus ALVAC and recombinant virus ALVAC-RG in the presence of radiolabelled ³⁵S-methionine and treated as previously described (Taylor et al., 1990). Immunoprecipitation reactions were performed using a rabies G specific monoclonal antibody. Efficient expression of a rabies specific glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 67 kDa was detected with the recombinant ALVAC-RG. No rabies specific products were detected in uninfected cells or cells infected with the parental ALVAC virus.

Sequential Passaging Experiment. In studies with ALVAC virus in a range of non-avian species no proliferative infection or overt disease was observed (Taylor et al., 1991b). However, in order to establish that neither the parental nor recombinant virus could be adapted to grow in non-avian cells, a sequential passaging experiment was performed.

The two viruses, ALVAC and ALVAC-RG, were inoculated in sequential blind passages in three cell lines:

(1) Primary chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells produced from 11 day old white leghorn embryos;

(2) Vero cells—a continuous line of African Green monkey kidney cells (ATCC # CCL81); and

(3) MRC-5 cells—a diploid cell line derived from human fetal lung tissue (ATCC # CCL171).

The initial inoculation was performed at an m.o.i. of 0.1 pfu per cell using three 60mm dishes of each cell line containing 2×10⁶ cells per dish. One dish was inoculated in the presence of 40 ìg/ml of Cytosine arabinoside (Ara C), an inhibitor of DNA replication. After an absorption period of 1 hour at 37° C., the inoculum was removed and the monolayer washed to remove unabsorbed virus. At this time the medium was replaced with 5 ml of EMEM+2% NBCS on two dishes (samples t0 and t7) and 5 ml of EMEM+2% NBCS containing 40 ìg/ml Ara C on the third (sample t7A). Sample to was frozen at −70° C. to provide an indication of the residual input virus. Samples t7 and t7A were incubated at 37° C. for 7 days, after which time the contents were harvested and the cells disrupted by indirect sonication.

One ml of sample t7 of each cell line was inoculated undiluted onto three dishes of the same cell line (to provide samples t0, t7 and t7A) and onto one dish of primary CEF cells. Samples t0, t7 and t7A were treated as for passage one. The additional inoculation on CEF cells was included to provide an amplification step for more sensitive detection of virus which might be present in the non-avian cells.

This procedure was repeated for 10 (CEF and MRC-5) or 8 (Vero) sequential blind passages. Samples were then frozen and thawed three times and assayed by titration on primary CEF monolayers.

Virus yield in each sample was then determined by plaque titration on CEF monolayers under agarose. Summarized results of the experiment are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The results indicate that both the parental ALVAC and the recombinant ALVAC-RG are capable of sustained replication on CEF monolayers with no loss of titer. In Vero cells, levels of virus fell below the level of detection after 2 passages for ALVAC and 1 passage for ALVAC-RG. In MRC-5 cells, a similar result was evident, and no virus was detected after 1 passage. Although the results for only four passages are shown in Tables 1 and 2 the series was continued for 8 (Vero) and 10 (MRC-5) passages with no detectable adaptation of either virus to growth in the non-avian cells.

In passage 1 relatively high levels of virus were present in the t7 sample in MRC-5 and Vero cells. However this level of virus was equivalent to that seen in the t0 sample and the t7A sample incubated in the presence of Cytosine arabinoside in which no viral replication can occur. This demonstrated that the levels of virus seen at 7 days in non-avian cells represented residual virus and not newly replicated virus.

In order to make the assay more sensitive, a portion of the 7 day harvest from each cell line was inoculated onto a permissive CEF monolayer and harvested at cytopathic effect (CPE) or at 7 days if no CPE was evident. The results of this experiment are shown in Table 3. Even after amplification through a permissive cell line, virus was only detected in MRC-5 and Vero cells for two additional passages. These results indicated that under the conditions used, there was no adaptation of either virus to growth in Vero or MRC-5 cells.

Inoculation of Macaques. Four HIV seropositive macaques were initially inoculated with ALVAC-RG as described in Table 4. After 100 days these animals were re-inoculated to determine a booster effect, and an additional seven animals were inoculated with a range of doses. Blood was drawn at appropriate intervals and sera analyzed, after heat inactivation at 56° C. for 30 minutes, for the presence of anti-rabies antibody using the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Assay (Smith et al., 1973).

Inoculation of Chimpanzees. Two adult male chimpanzees (50 to 65 kg weight range) were inoculated intramuscularly or subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ pfu of vCP65. Animals were monitored for reactions and bled at regular intervals for analysis for the presence of anti-rabies antibody with the RFFI test (Smith et al., 1973). Animals were re-inoculated with an equivalent dose 13 weeks after the initial inoculation.

Inoculation of Mice. Groups of mice were inoculated with 50 to 100 ì1 of a range of dilutions of different batches of vCP65. Mice were inoculated in the footpad. On day 14, mice were challenged by intracranial inoculation of from 15 to 43 mouse LD₅₀ of the virulent CVS strain of rabies virus. Survival of mice was monitored and a protective dose 50% (PD₅₀) calculated at 28 days post-inoculation.

Inoculation of Dogs and Cats. Ten beagle dogs, 5 months old, and 10 cats, 4 months old, were inoculated subcutaneously with either 6.7 or 7.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG. Four dogs and four cats were not inoculated. Animals were bled at 14 and 28 days post-inoculation and anti-rabies antibody assessed in an RFFI test. The animals receiving 6.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG were challenged at 29 days post-vaccination with 3.7 log₁₀ mouse LD₅₀ (dogs) or 4.3 log₁₀ mouse LD₅₀ (cats) of the NYGS rabies virus challenge strain.

Inoculation of Squirrel Monkeys. Three groups of four squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were inoculated with one of three viruses (a) ALVAC, the parental canarypox virus, (b) ALVAC-RG, the recombinant expressing the rabies G glycoprotein or (c) vCP37, a canarypox recombinant expressing the envelope glycoprotein of feline leukemia virus. Inoculations were performed under ketamine anaesthesia. Each animal received at the same time: (1) 20 ìl instilled on the surface of the right eye without scarification; (2) 100 ìl as several droplets in the mouth; (3) 100 ìl in each of two intradermal injection sites in the shaven skin of the external face of the right arm; and (4) 100 ìl in the anterior muscle of the right thigh.

Four monkeys were inoculated with each virus, two with a total of 5.0 log₁₀ pfu and two with a total of 7.0 log₁₀ pfu. Animals were bled at regular intervals and sera analyzed for the presence of antirabies antibody using an RFFI test (Smith et al., 1973). Animals were monitored daily for reactions to vaccination. Six months after the initial inoculation the four monkeys receiving ALVAC-RG, two monkeys initially receiving vCP37, and two monkeys initially receiving ALVAC, as well as one naive monkey were inoculated with 6.5 log₁₀ pfu of ALVAC-RG subcutaneously. Sera were monitored for the presence of rabies neutralizing antibody in an RFFI test (Smith et al., 1973).

Inoculation of Human Cell Lines with ALVAC-RG. In order to determine whether efficient expression of a foreign gene could be obtained in non-avian cells in which the virus does not productively replicate, five cell types, one avian and four non-avian, were analyzed for virus yield, expression of the foreign rabies G gene and viral specific DNA accumulation. The cells inoculated were:

(a) Vero, African Green monkey kidney cells, ATCC # CCL81;

(b) MRC-5, human embryonic lung, ATCC # CCL 171;

(c) WISH human amnion, ATCC # CCL 25;

(d) Detroit-532, human foreskin, Downs's syndrome, ATCC # CCL 54; and

(e) Primary CEF cells.

Chicken embryo fibroblast cells produced from 11 day old white leghorn embryos were included as a positive control. All inoculations were performed on preformed monolayers of 2×10⁶ cells as discussed below.

A. Methods for DNA Analysis

Three dishes of each cell line were inoculated at 5 pfu/cell of the virus under test, allowing one extra dish of each cell line un-inoculated. One dish was incubated in the presence of 40 ìg/ml of cytosine arabinoside (Ara C). After an adsorption period of 60 minutes at 37+ C., the inoculum was removed and the monolayer washed twice to remove unadsorbed virus. Medium (with or without Ara C) was then replaced. Cells from one dish (without Ara C) were harvested as a time zero sample. The remaining dishes were incubated at 37° C. for 72 hours, at which time the cells were harvested and used to analyze DNA accumulation. Each sample of 2×10⁶ cells was resuspended in 0.5 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 40 mM EDTA and incubated for 5 minutes at 37° C. An equal volume of 1.5% agarose prewarmed at 42° C. and containing 120 mM EDTA was added to the cell suspension and gently mixed. The suspension was transferred to an agarose plug mold and allowed to harden for at least 15 min. The agarose plugs were then removed and incubated for 12-16 hours at 50° C. in a volume of lysis buffer (1% sarkosyl, 100 ìg/ml proteinase K, 10 mM Tris HCl pH 7.5, 200 mM EDTA) that completely covers the plug. The lysis buffer was then replaced with 5.0 ml sterile 0.5×TBE (44.5 mM Tris-borate, 44.5 mM boric acid, 0.5 mM EDTA) and equilibrated at 4° C. for 6 hours with 3 changes of TBE buffer. The viral DNA within the plug was fractionated from cellular RNA and DNA using a pulse field electrophoresis system. Electrophoresis was performed for 20 hours at 180 V with a ramp of 50-90 sec at 15° C. in 0.5×TBE. The DNA was run with lambda DNA molecular weight standards. After electrophoresis the viral DNA band was visualized by staining with ethidium bromide. The DNA was then transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane and probed with a radiolabelled probe prepared from purified ALVAC genomic DNA.

B. Estimation of Virus Yield

Dishes were inoculated exactly as described above, with the exception that input multiplicity was 0.1 pfu/cell. At 72 hours post infection, cells were lysed by three successive cycles of freezing and thawing. Virus yield was assessed by plaque titration on CEF monolayers.

C. Analysis of Expression of Rabies G Gene

Dishes were inoculated with recombinant or parental virus at a multiplicity of 10 pfu/cell, allowing an additional dish as an uninfected virus control. After a one hour absorption period, the medium was removed and replaced with methionine free medium. After a 30 minute period, this medium was replaced with methionine-free medium containing 25 uCi/ml of ³⁵S-Methionine. Infected cells were labelled overnight (approximately 16 hours), then lysed by the addition of buffer A lysis buffer. Immunoprecipitation was performed as previously described (Taylor et al., 1990) using a rabies G specific monoclonal antibody.

Results: Estimation of Viral Yield. The results of titration for yield at 72 hours after inoculation at 0.1 pfu per cell are shown in Table 5. The results indicate that while a productive infection can be attained in the avian cells, no increase in virus yield can be detected by this method in the four non-avian cell systems.

Analysis of Viral DNA Accumulation. In order to determine whether the block to productive viral replication in the non-avian cells occurred before or after DNA replication, DNA from the cell lysates was fractionated by electrophoresis, transferred to nitrocellulose and probed for the presence of viral specific DNA. DNA from uninfected CEF cells, ALVAC-RG infected CEF cells at time zero, ALVAC-RG infected CEF cells at 72 hours post-infection and ALVAC-RG infected CEF cells at 72 hours post-infection in the presence of 40 ìg/ml of cytosine arabinoside all showed some background activity, probably due to contaminating CEF cellular DNA in the radiolabelled ALVAC DNA probe preparation. However, ALVAC-RG infected CEF cells at 72 hours post-infection exhibited a strong band in the region of approximately 350 kbp representing ALVAC-specific viral DNA accumulation. No such band is detectable when the culture is incubated in the presence of the DNA synthesis inhibitor, cytosine arabinoside. Equivalent samples produced in Vero cells showed a very faint band at approximately 350 kbp in the ALVAC-RG infected Vero cells at time zero. This level represented residual virus. The intensity of the band was amplified at 72 hours post-infection indicating that some level of viral specific DNA replication had occurred in Vero cells which had not resulted in an increase in viral progeny. Equivalent samples produced in MRC-5 cells indicated that no viral specific DNA accumulation was detected under these conditions in this cell line. This experiment was then extended to include additional human cell lines, specifically WISH and Detroit-532 cells. ALVAC infected CEF cells served as a positive control. No viral specific DNA accumulation was detected in either WISH or Detroit cells inoculated with ALVAC-RG. It should be noted that the limits of detection of this method have not been fully ascertained and viral DNA accumulation may be occurring, but at a level below the sensitivity of the method. Other experiments in which viral DNA replication was measured by ³H-thymidine incorporation support the results obtained with Vero and MRC-5 cells.

Analysis of Rabies Gene Expression. To determine if any viral gene expression, particularly that of the inserted foreign gene, was occurring in the human cell lines even in the absence of viral DNA replication, immunoprecipitation experiments were performed on ³⁵S-methionine labelled lysates of avian and non-avian cells infected with ALVAC and ALVAC-RG. The results of immunoprecipitation using a rabies G specific monoclonal antibody illustrated specific immunoprecipitation of a 67 kDa glycoprotein in CEF, Vero and MRC-5, WISH and Detroit cells infected with ALVAC-RG. No such specific rabies gene products were detected in any of the uninfected and parentally infected cell lysates.

The results of this experiment indicated that in the human cell lines analyzed, although the ALVAC-RG recombinant was able to initiate an infection and express a foreign gene product under the transcriptional control of the H6 early/late vaccinia virus promoter, the replication did not proceed through DNA replication, nor was there any detectable viral progeny produced. In the Vero cells, although some level of ALVAC-RG specific DNA accumulation was observed, no viral progeny was detected by these methods. These results would indicate that in the human cell lines analyzed the block to viral replication occurs prior to the onset of DNA replication, while in Vero cells, the block occurs following the onset of viral DNA replication.

In order to determine whether the rabies glycoprotein expressed in ALVAC-RG was immunogenic, a number of animal species were tested by inoculation of the recombinant. The efficacy of current rabies vaccines is evaluated in a mouse model system. A similar test was therefore performed using ALVAC-RG. Nine different preparations of virus (including one vaccine batch (J) produced after 10 serial tissue culture passages of the seed virus) with infectious titers ranging from 6.7 to 8.4 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ per ml were serially diluted and 50 to 100 ìl of dilutions inoculated into the footpad of four to six week old mice. Mice were challenged 14 days later by the intracranial route with 300 ìl of the CVS strain of rabies virus containing from 15 to 43 mouse LD₅₀ as determined by lethality titration in a control group of mice. Potency, expressed as the PD₅₀ (Protective dose 50%), was calculated at 14 days post-challenge. The results of the experiment are shown in Table 6. The results indicated that ALVAC-RG was consistently able to protect mice against rabies virus challenge with a PD₅₀ value ranging from 3.33 to 4.56 with a mean value of 3.73 (STD 0.48). As an extension of this study, male mice were inoculated intracranially with 50 ìl of virus containing 6.0 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG or with an equivalent volume of an uninfected cell suspension. Mice were sacrificed on days 1, 3 and 6 post-inoculation and their brains removed, fixed and sectioned. Histopathological examination showed no evidence for neurovirulence of ALVAC-RG in mice.

In order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ALVAC-RG for dogs and cats, a group of 14, 5 month old beagles and 14, 4 month old cats were analyzed. Four animals in each species were not vaccinated. Five animals received 6.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ subcutaneously and five animals received 7.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ by the same route. Animals were bled for analysis for anti-rabies antibody. Animals receiving no inoculation or 6.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG were challenged at 29 days post-vaccination with 3.7 log₁₀ mouse LD₅₀ (dogs, in the temporal muscle) or 4.3 log₁₀ mouse LD₅₀ (cats, in the neck) of the NYGS rabies virus challenge strain. The results of the experiment are shown in Table 7.

No adverse reactions to inoculation were seen in either cats or dogs with either dose of inoculum virus. Four of 5 dogs immunized with 6.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ had antibody titers on day 14 post-vaccination and all dogs had titers at 29 days. All dogs were protected from a challenge which killed three out of four controls. In cats, three of five cats receiving 6.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ had specific antibody titers on day 14 and all cats were positive on day 29 although the mean antibody titer was low at 2.9 IU. Three of five cats survived a challenge which killed all controls. All cats immunized with 7.7 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ had antibody titers on day 14 and at day 29 the Geometric Mean Titer was calculated as 8.1 International Units.

The immune response of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) to inoculation with ALVAC, ALVAC-RG and an unrelated canarypox virus recombinant was examined. Groups of monkeys were inoculated as described above and sera analyzed for the presence of rabies specific antibody. Apart from minor typical skin reactions to inoculation by the intradermal route, no adverse reactivity was seen in any of the monkeys. Small amounts of residual virus were isolated from skin lesions after intradermal inoculation on days two and four post-inoculation only. All specimens were negative on day seven and later. There was no local reaction to intra-muscular injection. All four monkeys inoculated with ALVAC-RG developed anti-rabies serum neutralizing antibodies as measured in an RFFI test. Approximately six months after the initial inoculation all monkeys and one additional naive monkey were re-inoculated by the subcutaneous route on the external face of the left thigh with 6.5 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG. Sera were analyzed for the presence of anti-rabies antibody. The results are shown in Table 8.

Four of the five monkeys naive to rabies developed a serological response by seven days post-inoculation with ALVAC-RG. All five monkeys had detectable antibody by 11 days post-inoculation. Of the four monkeys with previous exposure to the rabies glycoprotein, all showed a significant increase in serum neutralization titer between days 3 and 7 post-vaccination. The results indicate that vaccination of squirrel monkeys with ALVAC-RG does not produce adverse side-effects and a primary neutralizing antibody response can be induced. An amnanestic response is also induced on re-vaccination. Prior exposure to ALVAC or to a canarypox recombinant expressing an unrelated foreign gene does not interfere with induction of an anti-rabies immune response upon re-vaccination.

The immunological response of HIV-2 seropositive macaques to inoculation with ALVAC-RG was assessed. Animals were inoculated as described above and the presence of anti-rabies serum neutralizing antibody assessed in an RFFI test. The results, shown in Table 9, indicated that HIV-2 positive animals inoculated by the subcutaneous route developed anti-rabies antibody by 11 days after one inoculation. An anamnestic response was detected after a booster inoculation given approximately three months after the first inoculation. No response was detected in animals receiving the recombinant by the oral route. In addition, a series of six animals were inoculated with decreasing doses of ALVAC-RG given by either the intra-muscular or subcutaneous routes. Five of the six animals inoculated responded by 14 days post-vaccination with no significant difference in antibody titer.

Two chimpanzees with prior exposure to HIV were inoculated with 7.0 log₁₀ pfu of ALVAC-RG by the subcutaneous or intra-muscular route. At 3 months post-inoculations both animals were re-vaccinated in an identical fashion. The results are shown in Table 10.

No adverse reactivity to inoculation was noted by either intramuscular or subcutaneous routes. Both chimpanzees responded to primary inoculation by 14 days and a strongly rising response was detected following re-vaccination.

TABLE 1 Sequential Passage of ALVAC in Avian and non-Avian Cells. CEF Vero MRC-5 Pass 1 Sample to^(a) 2.4 3.0 2.6 t7^(b) 7.0 1.4 0.4 t7A^(c) 1.2 1.2 0.4 Pass 2 Sample to 5.0 0.4  N.D.^(d) t7 7.3 0.4 N.D. t7A 3.9 N.D. N.D. Pass 3 Sample to 5.4 0.4 N.D. t7 7.4 N.D. N.D. t7A 3.8 N.D. N.D. Pass 4 Sample to 5.2 N.D. N.D. t7 7.1 N.D. N.D. t7A 3.9 N.D. N.D. ^(a)This sample was harvested at zero time and represents the residual input virus. The titer is expressed as log₁₀ pfu per ml. ^(b)This sample was harvested at 7 days post-infection. ^(c)This sample was inoculated in the presence of 40 ìg/ml of Cytosine arabinoside and harvested at 7 days post infection. ^(d)Not detectable

TABLE 2 Sequential Passage of ALVAC-RG in Avian and non-Avian Cells CEF Vero MRC-5 Pass 1 Sample t0^(a) 3.0 2.9 2.9 t7^(b) 7.1 1.0 1.4 t7A^(c) 1.8 1.4 1.2 Pass 2 Sample t0 5.1 0.4 0.4 t7 7.1  N.D.^(d) N.D. t7A 3.8 N.D. N.D. Pass 3 Sample t0 5.1 0.4 N.D. t7 7.2 N.D. N.D. t7A 3.6 N.D. N.D. Pass 4 Sample t0 5.1 N.D. N.D. t7 7.0 N.D. N.D. t7A 4.0 N.D. N.D  ^(a)This sample was harvested at zero time and represents the residual input virus. The titer is expressed as log₁₀ pfu per ml. ^(b)This sample was harvested at 7 days post-infection. ^(c)This sample was inoculated in the presence of 40 ìg/ml of Cytosine arabinoside and harvested at 7 days post-infection. ^(d)Not detectable.

TABLE 3 Amplification of residual virus by passage in CEF cells CEF Vero MRC-5 a) ALVAC Pass 2^(a)  7.0^(b) 6.0 5.2 3 7.5 4.1 4.9 4 7.5   N.D.^(c) N.D. 5 7.1 N.D. N.D. b) ALVAC-RG Pass 2^(a) 7.2 5.5 5.5 3 7.2 5.0 5.1 4 7.2 N.D. N.D. 5 7.2 N.D. N.D. ^(a)Pass 2 represents the amplification in CEF cells of the 7 day sample from Pass 1. ^(b)Titer expressed as log₁₀ pfu per ml ^(c)Not Detectable

TABLE 4 Schedule of inoculation of rhesus macaques with ALVAC-RG (vCP65) Animal Inoculation 176L Primary: 1 × 10⁸ pfu of vCP65 orally in TANG Secondary: 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 plus 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP82^(a) by SC route 185 L Primary: 1 × 10⁸ pfu of vCP65 orally in Tang Secondary: 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 plus 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP82 by SC route 177 L Primary: 5 × 10⁷ pfu SC of vCP65 by SC route Secondary: 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 plus 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP82 by SC route 186L Primary: 5 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 by SC route Secondary: 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 plus 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP82 by SC route 178L Primary: 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 by SC route 182L Primary: 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 by IM route 179L Primary: 1 × 10⁶ pfu of vCP65 by SC route 183L Primary: 1 × 10⁶ pfu of vCP65 by IM route 180L Primary: 1 × 10⁶ pfu of vCP65 by SC route 184L Primary: 1 × 10⁵ pfu of vCP65 by IM route 187L Primary 1 × 10⁷ pfu of vCP65 orally ^(a)vCP82 is a canarypox virus recombinant expressing the measles virus fusion and hemagglutinin genes.

TABLE 5 Analysis of yield in avian and non-avian cells inoculated with ALVAC-RG Sample Time Cell Type t0 t72 t72A^(b) Expt 1 CEF   3.3^(a) 7.4 1.7 Vero 3.0 1.4 1.7 MRC-5 3.4 2.0 1.7 Expt 2 CEF 2.9 7.5 <1.7   WISH 3.3 2.2 2.0 Detroit-532 2.8 1.7 <1.7   ^(a)Titer expressed as log₁₀ pfu per ml ^(b)Culture incubated in the presence of 40 ìg/ml of Cytosine arabinoside

TABLE 6 Potency of ALVAC-RG as tested in mice Test Challenge Dose^(a) PD₅₀ ^(b) Initial seed 43 4.56 Primary seed 23 3.34 Vaccine Batch H 23 4.52 Vaccine Batch I 23 3.33 Vaccine Batch K 15 3.64 Vaccine Batch L 15 4.03 Vaccine Batch M 15 3.32 Vaccine Batch N 15 3.39 Vaccine Batch J 23 3.42 ^(a)Expressed as mouse LD₅₀ ^(b)Expressed as log₁₀ TCID₅₀

TABLE 7 Efficacy of ALVAC-RG in dogs and cats Dogs Cats Dose Antibody^(a) Survival^(b) Antibody Survival 6.7 11.9 5/5 2.9 3/5 7.7 10.1 N.T. 8.1 N.T. ^(a)Antibody at day 29 post inoculation expressed as the geometric mean titer in International Units. ^(b)Expressed as a ratio of survivors over animals challenged

TABLE 8 Anti-rabies serological response of Squirrel monkeys inoculated with canarypox recombinants Monkey Previous Rabies serum-neutralizing antibody^(a) # Exposure −196^(b) 0 3 7 11 21 28 22 ALVAC^(c) NT^(g) <1.2 <1.2 <1.2 2.1 2.3 2.2 51 ALVAC^(c) NT <1.2 <1.2 1.7 2.2 2.2 2.2 39 vCP37^(d) NT <1.2 <1.2 1.7 2.1 2.2  N.T.^(g) 55 vCP37^(d) NT <1.2 <1.2 1.7 2.2 2.1 N.T. 37 ALVAC-RG^(e) 2.2 <1.2 <1.2 3.2 3.5 3.5 3.2 53 ALVAC-RG^(e) 2.2 <1.2 <1.2 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.4 38 ALVAC-RG^(f) 2.7 <1.7 <1.7 3.2 3.8 3.6 N.T. 54 ALVAC-RG^(f) 3.2 <1.7 <1.5 3.6 4.2 4.0 3.6 57 None NT <1.2 <1.2 1.7 2.7 2.7 2.3 ^(a)As determined by RFFI test on days indicated and expressed in International Units ^(b)Day-196 represents serum from day 28 after primary vaccination ^(c)Animals received 5.0 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC ^(d)Animals received 5.0 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of vCP37 ^(e)Animals received 5.0 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG ^(f)Animals received 7.0 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ of ALVAC-RG ^(g)Not tested.

TABLE 9 Inoculation of rhesus macaques with ALVAC-RG^(a) Route of primary Inoculation Days post- or/Tang SC SC SC IM SC IM SC IM OR Inoculation 176L^(b) 185L 177L 186L 178L 182L 179L 183L 180L 184L 187L^(b) −84   — — — −9 — — — — — —  3 — — — —  6 — — ± ± 11 — —  16^(d) 128 19 — — 32 128 — — 35 — — 32 512 59 — — 64 256 75 — — 64 128 — —  99^(c) — — 64 256 — — — — — —  2 — — 32 256 — — — — — — —  6 — — 512  512 — — — — — — — 15 16 16 512  512 64 32 64 128 32 — 29 16 32 256  256 64 64 32 128 32 — 55 32 32 32 16 — 57 16 128  128 16 16 — ^(a)See Table 9 for schedule of inoculations. ^(b)Animals 176L and 185L received 8.0 log₁₀ pfu by the oral route in 5 ml Tang. Animal 187L received 7.0 log₁₀ pfu by oral route not in Tang. ^(c)Day of re-vaccination for animals 176L, 185L, 177L and 186L by S.C. route, and primary vaccination for animals 178L, 182L, 179L, 183L, 180L, 184L and 187L. ^(d)Titers expressed as reciprocal of last dilution showing inhibition of fluorescence in an RFFI test.

TABLE 10 Inoculation of chimpanzees with ALVAC-RG Weeks post- Animal 431 Animal 457 Inoculation I.M. S.C. 0  <8^(a)  <8 1 <8  <8 2  8  32 4 16  32 8 16  32 12^(b)/0  16  8 13/1 128  128 15/3 256  512 20/8 64 128  26/12 32 128 ^(a)Titer expressed as reciprocal of last dilution showing inhibition of fluorescence in an RFFI test ^(b)Day of re-inoculation

Example 10 Immunization of Humans Using Canarypox Expressing Rabies Glycoprotein (ALVAC-RG; vCP65)

ALVAC-RG (vCP65) was generated as described in Example 9 and FIGS. 9A and 9B. For scaling-up and vaccine manufacturing ALVAC-RG (vCP65) was grown in primary CEF derived from specified pathogen free eggs. Cells were infected at a multiplicity of 0.01 and incubated at 37° C. for three days.

The vaccine virus suspension was obtained by ultrasonic disruption in serum free medium of the infected cells; cell debris were then removed by centrifugation and filtration. The resulting clarified suspension was supplemented with lyophilization stabilizer (mixture of amino-acids), dispensed in single dose vials and freeze dried. Three batches of decreasing titer were prepared by ten-fold serial dilutions of the virus suspension in a mixture of serum free medium and lyophilization stabilizer, prior to lyophilization.

Quality control tests were applied to the cell substrates, media and virus seeds and final product with emphasis on the search for adventitious agents and innocuity in laboratory rodents. No undesirable trait was found.

Preclinical data. Studies in vitro indicated that VERO or MRC-5 cells do not support the growth of ALVAC-RG (vCP65); a series of eight (VERO) and 10 (MRC) blind serial passages caused no detectable adaptation of the virus to grow in these non avian lines. Analyses of human cell lines (MRC-5, WISH, Detroit 532, HEL, HNK or EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells) infected or inoculated with ALVAC-RG (vCP65) showed no accumulation of virus specific DNA suggesting that in these cells the block in replication occurs prior to DNA synthesis. Significantly, however, the expression of the rabies virus glycoprotein gene in all cell lines tested indicating that the abortive step in the canarypox replication cycle occurs prior to viral DNA replication.

The safety and efficacy of ALVAC-RG (vCP65) were documented in a series of experiments in animals. A number of species including canaries, chickens, ducks, geese, laboratory rodents (suckling and adult mice), hamsters, guinea-pigs, rabbits, cats and dogs, squirrel monkeys, rhesus macaques and chimpanzees, were inoculated with doses ranging from 10⁵ to 10⁸ pfu. A variety of routes were used, most commonly subcutaneous, intramuscular and intradermal but also oral (monkeys and mice) and intracerebral (mice).

In canaries, ALVAC-RG (vCP65) caused a “take” lesion at the site of scarification with no indication of disease or death. Intradermal inoculation of rabbits resulted in a typical poxvirus inoculation reaction which did not spread and healed in seven to ten days. There was no adverse side effects due to canarypox in any of the animal tests. Immunogenicity was documented by the development of anti-rabies antibodies following inoculation of ALVAC-RG (vCP65) in rodents, dogs, cats, and primates, as measured by Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT). Protection was also demonstrated by rabies virus challenge experiments in mice, dogs, and cats immunized with ALVAC-RG (vCP65).

Volunteers. Twenty-five healthy adults aged 20-45 with no previous history of rabies immunization were enrolled. Their health status was assessed by complete medical histories, physical examinations, hematological and blood chemistry analyses. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, allergies, immune depression of any kind, chronic debilitating disease, cancer, injection of immune globins in the past three months, and seropositivity to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or to hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Study design. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either standard Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccine (HDC) batch no E0751 (Pasteur Merieux Serums & Vaccine, Lyon, France) or the study vaccine ALVAC-RG (vCP65).

The trial was designated as a dose escalation study. Three batches of experimental ALVAC-RG (vCP65) vaccine were used sequentially in three groups of volunteers (Groups A, B and C) with two week intervals between each step. The concentration of the three batches was 10^(3.5), 10^(4.5), 10^(5.5) Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID₅₀) per dose, respectively.

Each volunteer received two doses of the same vaccine subcutaneously in the deltoid region at an interval of four weeks. The nature of the injected vaccine was not known by the participants at the time of the first injection but was known by the investigator.

In order to minimize the risk of immediate hypersensitivity at the time of the second injection, the volunteers of Group B allocated to the medium dose of experimental vaccine were injected 1 h previously with the lower dose and those allocated to the higher dose (Group C) received successively the lower and the medium dose at hourly intervals.

Six months later, the recipients of the highest dosage of ALVAC-RG (vCP65) (Group C) and HDC vaccine were offered a third dose of vaccine; they were then randomized to receive either the same vaccine as previously or the alternate vaccine. As a result, four groups were formed corresponding to the following immunization scheme: 1. HDC, HDC-HDC; 2. HDC, HDC-ALVAC-RG (vCP65); 3. ALVAC-RG (vCP65), ALVAC-RG (vCP65)-HDC; 4. ALVAC-RG (vCP65), ALVAC-RG (vCP65), ALVAC-RG (vCP65).

Monitoring of Side Effects. All subjects were monitored for 1 h after injection and re-examined every day for the next five days. They were asked to record local and systemic reactions for the next three weeks and were questioned by telephone two times a week.

Laboratory Investigators. Blood specimens were obtained before enrollment and two, four and six days after each injection. Analysis included complete blood cell count, liver enzymes and creatine kinase assays.

Antibody assays. Antibody assays were performed seven days prior to the first injection and at days 7, 28, 35, 56, 173, 187 and 208 of the study.

The levels of neutralizing antibodies to rabies were determined using the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition test (RFFIT) (Smith & Yaeger, In Laboratory Techniques on Rabies). Canarypox antibodies were measured by direct ELISA. The antigen, a suspension of purified canarypox virus disrupted with 0.1% Triton X100, was coated in microplates. Fixed dilutions of the sera were reacted for two hours at room temperature and reacting antibodies were revealed with a peroxidase labelled anti-human IgG goat serum. The results are expressed as the optical density read at 490 nm.

Analysis. Twenty-five subjects were enrolled and completed the study. There were 10 males and 15 females and the mean age was 31.9 (21 to 48). All but three subjects had evidence of previous smallpox vaccination; the three remaining subjects had no typical scar and vaccination history. Three subjects received each of the lower doses of experimental vaccine (10^(3.5) and 10^(4.5) TCID₅₀) , nine subjects received 10^(5.5) TCID₅₀ and ten received the HDC vaccine.

Safety (Table 11). During the primary series of immunization, fever greater than 37.7° C. was noted within 24 hours after injection in one HDC recipient (37.8° C.) and in one vCP65 10^(5.5) TCID₅₀ recipient (38° C.). No other systemic reaction attributable to vaccination was observed in any participant.

Local reactions were noted in 9/10 recipients of HDC vaccine injected subcutaneously and in 0/3, 1/3 and 9/9 recipients of vCP65 10^(3.5), 10^(4.5), 10^(5.5) TCID₅₀, respectively.

Tenderness was the most common symptoms and was always mild. Other local symptoms included redness and induration which were also mild and transient. All symptoms usually subsided within 24 hours and never lasted more than 72 hours.

There was no significant change in blood cell counts, liver enzymes or creatine kinase values.

Immune Responses; Neutralizing Antibodies to Rabies (Table 12). Twenty eight days after the first injection all the HDC recipients had protective titers (≧0.5 IU/ml). By contrast none in groups A and B (10^(3.5) and 10^(4.5) TCID₅₀) and only 2/9 in group C (10^(5.5) TCID₅₀) ALVAC-RG (vCP65) recipients reached this protective titer.

At day 56 (i.e. 28 days after the second injection) protective titers were achieved in 0/3 of Group A, 2/3 of Group B and 9/9 of Group C recipients of ALVAC-RG (vCP65) vaccine and persisted in all 10 HDC recipients.

At day 56 the geometric mean titers were 0.05, 0.47, 4.4 and 11.5 IU/ml in groups A, B, C and HDC respectively.

At day 180, the rabies antibody titers had substantially decreased in all subjects but remained above the minimum protective titer of 0.5 IU/ml in 5/10 HCD recipients and in 5/9 ALVAC-RG (vCP65) recipients; the geometric mean titers were 0.51 and 0.45 IU/ml in groups HCD and C, respectively.

Antibodies to the Canarypox virus (Table 13). The pre-immune titers observed varied widely with titers varying from 0.22 to 1.23 O.D. units despite the absence of any previous contact with canary birds in those subjects with the highest titers. When defined as a greater than two-fold increase between preimmunization and post second injection titers, a seroconversion was obtained in 1/3 subjects in group B and in 9/9 subjects in group C whereas no subject seroconverted in groups A or HDC.

Booster Injection. The vaccine was similarly well tolerated six months later, at the time of the booster injection: fever was noted in 2/9 HDC booster recipients and in 1/10 ALVAC-RG (vCP65) booster recipients. Local reactions were present in 5/9 recipients of HDC booster and in 6/10 recipients of the ALVAC-RG (vCP65) booster.

Observations. FIG. 13 shows graphs of rabies neutralizing antibody titers (Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test or RFFIT, IU/ml): Booster effect of HDC and vCP65 (10^(5.5) TCID₅₀) in volunteers previously immunized with either the same or the alternate vaccine. Vaccines were given at days 0, 28 and 180. Antibody titers were measured at days 0, 7, 28, 35, 56, 173, and 187 and 208.

As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, the booster dose given resulted in a further increase in rabies antibody titers in every subject whatever the immunization scheme. However, the ALVAC-RG (vCP65) booster globally elicited lower immune responses than the HDC booster and the ALVAC-RG (vCP65), ALVAC-RG (vCP65)-ALVAC-RG (vCP65) group had significantly lower titers than the three other groups. Similarly, the ALVAC-RG (vCP65) booster injection resulted in an increase in canarypox antibody titers in 3/5 subjects who had previously received the HDC vaccine and in all five subjects previously immunized with ALVAC-RG (vCP65).

In general, none of the local side effects from administration of vCP65 was indicative of a local replication of the virus. In particular, lesions of the skin such as those observed after injection of vaccine were absent. In spite of the apparent absence of replication of the virus, the injection resulted in the volunteers generating significant amounts of antibodies to both the canarypox vector and to the expressed rabies glycoprotein.

Rabies neutralizing antibodies were assayed with the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT) which is known to correlate well with the sero neutralization test in mice. Of 9 recipients of 10^(5.5) TCID₅₀, five had low level responses after the first dose. Protective titers of rabies antibodies were obtained after the second injection in all recipients of the highest dose tested and even in 2 of the 3 recipients of the medium dose. In this study, both vaccines were given subcutaneously as usually recommended for live vaccines, but not for the inactivated HDC vaccine. This route of injection was selected as it best allowed a careful examination of the injection site, but this could explain the late appearance of antibodies in HDC recipients: indeed, none of the HDC recipients had an antibody increase at day 7, whereas, in most studies where HDC vaccine is give intramuscularly a significant proportion of subjects do (Klietmann et al., Int'l Green Cross—Geneva, 1981; Kuwert et al., Int'l Green Cross—Geneva, 1981). However, this invention is not necessarily limited to the subcutaneous route of administration.

The GMT (geometric mean titers) of rabies neutralizing antibodies was lower with the investigational vaccine than with the HDC control vaccine, but still well above the minimum titer required for protection. The clear dose effect response obtained with the three dosages used in this study suggest that a higher dosage might induce a stronger response. Certainly from this disclosure the skilled artisan can select an appropriate dosage for a given patient.

The ability to boost the antibody response is another important result of this Example; indeed, an increase in rabies antibody titers was obtained in every subject after the 6 month dose whatever the immunization scheme, showing that preexisting immunity elicited by either the canarypox vector or the rabies glycoprotein had no blocking effect on the booster with the recombinant vaccine candidate or the conventional HDC rabies vaccine. This contrasts findings of others with vaccinia recombinants in humans that immune response may be blocked by pre-existing immunity (Cooney et al., Lancet 1991, 337:567-72; Etlinger et al., Vaccine 9:470-72, 1991).

Thus, this Example clearly demonstrates that a non-replicating poxvirus can serve as an immunizing vector in humans, with all of the advantages that replicating agents confer on the immune response, but without the safety problem created by a fully permissive virus.

TABLE 11 Reactions in the 5 days following vaccination vCP65 dosage H D C (TCID50) 10^(3.5) 10^(4.5) 10^(5.5) control Injection 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd No. vaccinees 3 3 3 3 9 9 10 10 temp >37.7° C. 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 soreness 0 0 1 1 6 8 8 6 redness 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 induration 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4

TABLE 12 Rabies neutralizing antibodies (REFIT; IU/ml) Individual titers and geometric mean titers (GMT) TCID50/ Days No. dose 0 7 28 35 56 1 10^(3.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2 3 10^(3.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 10^(3.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 G.M.T. <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 6 10^(4.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 7 10^(4.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 2.4 1.9 10 10^(4.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.6 1.1 G.M.T. <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.58 0.47 11 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 1.0 3.2 4.3 13 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 0.3 6.0 8.8 14 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 0.2 2.1 9.4 17 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.2 2.5 18 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 0.7 8.3 12.5 20 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 3.7 21 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 0.2 2.6 3.9 23 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.7 4.2 25 10^(5.5) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.6 0.9 G.M.T. <0.1 <0.1 0.16 1.9 4.4* 2 HDC <0.1 <0.1 0.8 7.1 7.2 5 HDC <0.1 <0.1 9.9 12.8 18.7 8 HDC <0.1 <0.1 12.7 21.1 16.5 9 HDC <0.1 <0.1 6.0 9.9 14.3 12 HDC <0.1 <0.1 5.0 9.2 25.3 15 HDC <0.1 <0.1 2.2 5.2 8.6 16 HDC <0.1 <0.1 2.7 7.7 20.7 19 HDC <0.1 <0.1 2.6 9.9 9.1 22 HDC <0.1 <0.1 1.4 8.6 6.6 24 HDC <0.1 <0.1 0.8 5.8 4.7 G.M.T. <0.1 <0.1 2.96 9.0 11.5* *p = 0.007 student t test

TABLE 13 Canarypox antibodies: ELISA Geometric Mean Titers* vCP65 dosage Days TCID50/dose 0 7 28 35 56 10^(3.5) 0.69 ND 0.76 ND 0.68 10^(4.5) 0.49 0.45 0.56 0.63 0.87 10^(5.5) 0.38 0.38 0.77 1.42 1.63 HDC control 0.45 0.39 0.40 0.35 0.39 *optical density at 1/25 dilution

Example 11 Comparison of the LD₅₀ of ALVAC and NYVAC with Various Vaccinia Virus Strains

Mice. Male outbred Swiss Webster mice were purchased from Taconic Farms (Germantown, N.Y.) and maintained on mouse chow and water ad libitum until use at 3 weeks of age (“normal” mice). Newborn outbred Swiss Webster mice were of both sexes and were obtained following timed pregnancies performed by Taconic Farms. All newborn mice used were delivered within a two day period.

Viruses. ALVAC was derived by plaque purification of a canarypox virus population and was prepared in primary chick embryo fibroblast cells (CEF). Following purification by centrifugation over sucrose density gradients, ALVAC was enumerated for plaque forming units in CEF cells. The WR(L) variant of vaccinia virus was derived by selection of large plaque phenotypes of WR (Panicali et al., 1981). The Wyeth New York State Board of Health vaccine strain of vaccinia virus was obtained from Pharmaceuticals Calf Lymph Type vaccine Dryvax, control number 302001B. Copenhagen strain vaccinia virus VC-2 was obtained from Institut Merieux, France. Vaccinia virus strain NYVAC was derived from Copenhagen VC-2. All vaccinia virus strains except the Wyeth strain were cultivated in Vero African green monkey kidney cells, purified by sucrose gradient density centrifugation and enumerated for plaque forming units on Vero cells. The Wyeth strain was grown in CEF cells and enumerated in CEF cells.

Inoculations. Groups of 10 normal mice were inoculated intracranially (ic) with 0.05 ml of one of several dilutions of virus prepared by 10-fold serially diluting the stock preparations in sterile phosphate-buffered saline. In some instances, undiluted stock virus preparation was used for inoculation.

Groups of 10 newborn mice, 1 to 2 days old, were inoculated ic similarly to the normal mice except that an injection volume of 0.03 ml was used.

All mice were observed daily for mortality for a period of 14 days (newborn mice) or 21 days (normal mice) after inoculation. Mice found dead the morning following inoculation were excluded due to potential death by trauma.

The lethal dose required to produce mortality for 50% of the experimental population (LD₅₀) was determined by the proportional method of Reed and Muench.

Comparison of the LD₅₀ of ALVAC and NYVAC with Various Vaccinia Virus Strains for Normal, Young Outbred Mice by the ic Route. In young, normal mice, the virulence of NYVAC and ALVAC were several orders of magnitude lower than the other vaccinia virus strains tested (Table 14). NYVAC and ALVAC were found to be over 3,000 times less virulent in normal mice than the Wyeth strain; over 12,500 times less virulent than the parental VC-2 strain; and over 63,000,000 times less virulent than the WR(L) variant. These results would suggest that NYVAC is highly attenuated compared to other vaccinia strains, and that ALVAC is generally nonvirulent for young mice when administered intracranially, although both may cause mortality in mice at extremely high doses (3.85×10⁸ PFUs, ALVAC and 3×10⁸ PFUs, NYVAC) by an undetermined mechanism by this route of inoculation.

Comparison of the LD₅₀ of ALVAC and NYVAC with Various Vaccinia Virus Strains for Newborn Outbred Mice by the ic Route. The relative virulence of 5 poxvirus strains for normal, newborn mice was tested by titration in an intracranial (ic) challenge model system (Table 15). With mortality as the endpoint, LD₅₀ values indicated that ALVAC is over 100,000 times less virulent than the Wyeth vaccine strain of vaccinia virus; over 200,000 times less virulent than the Copenhagen VC-2 strain of vaccinia virus; and over 25,000,000 times less virulent than the WR-L variant of vaccinia virus. Nonetheless, at the highest dose tested, 6.3×10⁷ PFUs, 100% mortality resulted. Mortality rates of 33.3% were observed at 6.3×10⁶ PFUs. The cause of death, while not actually determined, was not likely of toxicological or traumatic nature since the mean survival time (MST) of mice of the highest dosage group (approximately 6.3 LD₅₀) was 6.7±1.5 days. When compared to WR(L) at a challenge dose of 5 LD₅₀, wherein MST is 4.8±0.6 days, the MST of ALVAC challenged mice was significantly longer (P=0.001).

Relative to NYVAC, Wyeth was found to be over 15,000 times more virulent; VC-2, greater than 35,000 times more virulent; and WR(L), over 3,000,000 times more virulent. Similar to ALVAC, the two highest doses of NYVAC, 6×10⁸ and 6×10⁷ PFUs, caused 100% mortality. However, the MST of mice challenged with the highest dose, corresponding to 380 LD₅₀, was only 2 days (9 deaths on day 2 and 1 on day 4). In contrast, all mice challenged with the highest dose of WR-L, equivalent to 500 LD₅₀, survived to day 4.

TABLE 14 Calculated 50% Lethal Dose for mice by various vaccinia virus strains and for canarypox virus (ALVAC) by the ic route. POXVIRUS CALCULATED STRAIN LD₅₀ (PFUs) WR (L) 2.5 VC-2 1.26 × 10⁴ WYETH 5.00 × 10⁴ NYVAC 1.58 × 10⁸ ALVAC 1.58 × 10⁸

TABLE 15 Calculated 50% Lethal Dose for newborn mice by various vaccinia virus strains and for canarypox virus (ALVAC) by the ic route. POXVIRUS CALCULATED STRAIN LD₅₀ (PFUs) WR (L) 0.4 VC-2 0.1 WYETH 1.6 NYVAC 1.58 × 10⁶ ALVAC 1.00 × 10⁷

Example 12 Evaluation of NYVAC (vP866) and NYVAC-RG (vP879)

Immunoprecipitations. Preformed monolayers of avian or non-avian cells were inoculated with 10 pfu per cell of parental NYVAC (vP866) or NYVAC-RG (vP879) virus. The inoculation was performed in EMEM free of methionine and supplemented with 2% dialyzed fetal bovine serum. After a one hour incubation, the inoculum was removed and the medium replaced with EMEM (methionine free) containing 20 ìCi/ml of ³⁵S-methionine. After an overnight incubation of approximately 16 hours, cells were lysed by the addition of Buffer A (1% Nonidet P-40, 10 mM Tris pH7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 0.01% sodium azide, 500 units per ml of aprotinin, and 0.02% phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride). Immunoprecipitation was performed using a rabies glycoprotein specific monoclonal antibody designated 24-3F10 supplied by Dr. C. Trinarchi, Griffith Laboratories, New York State Department of Health, Albany, N.Y., and a rat anti-mouse conjugate obtained from Boehringer Mannheim Corporation (Cat. #605-500). Protein A Sepharose CL-48 obtained from Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology Inc., Piscataway, N.J., was used as a support matrix. Immunoprecipitates were fractionated on 10% polyacrylamide gels according to the method of Dreyfuss et. al. (1984). Gels were fixed, treated for fluorography with 1M Na-salicylate for one hour, and exposed to Kodak XAR-2 film to visualize the immunoprecipitated protein species.

Sources of Animals. New Zealand White rabbits were obtained from Hare-Marland (Hewitt, N.J.). Three week old male Swiss Webster outbred mice, timed pregnant female Swiss Webster outbred mice, and four week old Swiss Webster nude (nu⁺nu⁺) mice were obtained from Taconic Farms, Inc. (Germantown, N.Y.). All animals were maintained according to NIH guidelines. All animal protocols were approved by the institutional IACUC. When deemed necessary, mice which were obviously terminally ill were euthanized.

Evaluation of Lesions in Rabbits. Each of two rabbits was inoculated intradermally at multiple sites with 0.1 ml of PBS containing 10⁴, 10⁵, 10⁶, 10⁷, or 10⁸ pfu of each test virus or with PBS alone. The rabbits were observed daily from day 4 until lesion resolution. Indurations and ulcerations were measured and recorded.

Virus Recovery from Inoculation Sites. A single rabbit was inoculated intradermally at multiple sites of 0/1 ml of PBS containing 10⁶, 10⁷, or 10⁸ pfu of each test virus or with PBS alone. After 11 days, the rabbit was euthanized and skin biopsy specimens taken from each of the inoculation sites were aseptically prepared by mechanical disruption and indirect sonication for virus recovery. Infectious virus was assayed by plaque titration on CEF monolayers.

Virulence in Mice. Groups of ten mice, or five in the nude mice experiment, were inoculated ip with one of several dilutions of virus in 0.5 ml of sterile PBS. Reference is also made to Example 11.

Cyclophosphamide (CY) Treatment. Mice were injected by the ip route with 4 mg (0.02 ml) of CY (SIGMA) on day −2, followed by virus injection on day 0. On the following days post infection, mice were injected ip with CY: 4 mg on day 1; 2 mg on days 4, 7 and 11; 3 mg on days 14, 18, 21, 25 and 28. Immunosuppression was indirectly monitored by enumerating white blood cells with a Coulter Counter on day 11. The average white blood cell count was 13,500 cells per ìl for untreated mice (n=4) and 4,220 cells per ìl for CY-treated control mice (n=5).

Calculation of LD₅₀. The lethal dose required to produce 50% mortality (LD₅₀) was determined by the proportional method of Reed and Muench (Reed and Muench 1938).

Potency Testing of NYVAC-RG in Mice. Four to six week old mice were inoculated in the footpad with 50 to 100 ìl of a range of dilutions (2.0-8.0 log₁₀ tissue culture infective dose 50% (TCID₅₀)) of either VV-RG (Kieny et al., 1984), ALVAC-RG (Taylor et al., 1991b), or the NYVAC-RG. Each group consisted of eight mice. At 14 days post-vaccination, the mice were challenged by intracranial inoculation with 15 LD₅₀ of the rabies virus CVS strain (0.03 ml). On day 28, surviving mice were counted and protective does 50% (PD₅₀) calculated.

Derivation of NYVAC (vP866). The NYVAC strain of vaccinia virus was generated from VC-2, a plaque cloned isolate of the COPENHAGEN vaccine strain. To generate NYVAC from VC-2, eighteen vaccinia ORFs, including a number of viral functions associated with virulence, were precisely deleted in a series of sequential manipulations as described earlier in this disclosure. These deletions were constructed in a manner designed to prevent the appearance of novel unwanted open reading frames. FIG. 10 schematically depicts the ORFs deleted to generate NYVAC. At the top of FIG. 10 is depicted the HindIII restriction map of the vaccinia virus genome (VC-2 plaque isolate, COPENHAGEN strain). Expanded are the six regions of VC-2 that were sequentially deleted in the generation of NYVAC. The deletions were described earlier in this disclosure (Examples 1 through 6). Below such deletion locus is listed the ORFs which were deleted from that locus, along with the functions or homologies and molecular weight of their gene products.

Replication Studies of NYVAC and ALVAC on Human Tissue Cell Lines. In order to determine the level of replication of NYVAC strain of vaccinia virus (vP866) in cells of human origin, six cell lines were inoculated at an input multiplicity of 0.1 pfu per cell under liquid culture and incubated for 72 hours. The COPENHAGEN parental clone (VC-2) was inoculated in parallel. Primary chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells (obtained from 10-11 day old embryonated eggs of SPF origin, Spafas, Inc., Storrs, Conn.) were included to represent a permissive cell substrate for all viruses. Cultures were analyzed on the basis of two criteria: the occurrence of productive viral replication and expression of an extrinsic antigen.

The replication potential of NYVAC in a number of human derived cells are shown in Table 16. Both VC-2 and NYVAC are capable of productive replication in CEF cells, although NYVAC with slightly reduced yields. VC-2 is also capable of productive replication in the six human derived cell lines tested with comparable yields except in the EBV transformed lymphoblastoid cell line JT-1 (human lymphoblastoid cell line transformed with Epstein-Barr virus, see Rickinson et al., 1984). In contract, NYVAC is highly attenuated in its ability to productively replicate in any of the human derived cell lines tested. Small increases of infectious virus above residual virus levels were obtained from NYVAC-infected MRC-5 (ATCC #CCL171, human embryonic lung origin), DETROIT 532 (ATCC #CCL54, human foreskin, Downs Syndrome), HEL 299 (ATCC #CCL137, human embryonic lung cells) and HNK (human neonatal kidney cells, Whittiker Bioproducts, Inc. Walkersville, MD, Cat #70-151) cells. Replication on these cell lines was significantly reduced when compared to virus yields obtained from NYVAC-infected CEF cells or with parental VC-2 (Table 16). It should be noted that the yields at 24 hours in CEF cells for both NYVAC and VC-2 is equivalent to the 72-hour yield. Allowing the human cell line cultures to incubate an additional 48 hours (another two viral growth cycles) may, therefore, have amplified the relative virus yield obtained.

Consistent with the low levels of virus yields obtained in the human-derived cell lines, MRC-5 and DETROIT 532, detectable but reduced levels of NYVAC-specific DNA accumulation were noted. The level of DNA accumulation in the MRC-5 and DETROIT 532 NYVAC-infected cell lines relative to that observed in NYVAC-infected CEF cells paralleled the relative virus yields. NYVAC-specific viral DNA accumulation was not observed in any of the other human-derived cells.

An equivalent experiment was also performed using the avipox virus, ALVAC. The results of virus replication are also shown in Table 16. No progeny virus was detectable in any of the human cell lines consistent with the host range restriction of canarypox virus to avian species. Also consistent with a lack of productive replication of ALVAC in these human-derived cells is the observation that no ALVAC-specific DNA accumulation was detectable in any of the human-derived cell lines.

Expression of Rabies Glycoprotein by NYVAC-RG (vP879) in Human Cells. In order to determine whether efficient expression of a foreign gene could be obtained in the absence of significant levels of productive viral replication, the same cell lines were inoculated with the NYVAC recombinant expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (vP879, Example 7) in the presence of 35S- methionine. Immunoprecipitation of the rabies glycoprotein was performed from the radiolabelled culture lysate using a monoclonal antibody specific for the rabies glycoprotein. Immunoprecipitation of a 67 kDa protein was detected consistent with a fully glycosylated form of the rabies glycoprotein. No serologically crossreactive product was detected in uninfected or parental NYVAC infected cell lysates. Equivalent results were obtained with all other human cells analyzed.

Inoculations on the Rabbit Skin. The induction and nature of skin lesions on rabbits following intradermal (id) inoculations has been previously used as a measure of pathogenicity of vaccinia virus strains (Buller et al., 1988; Child et al., 1990; Fenner, 1958, Flexner et al., 1987; Ghendon and Chernos 1964). Therefore, the nature of lesions associated with id inoculations with the vaccinia strains WR (ATCC #VR119 plaque purified on CV-1 cells, ATCC #CCL70, and a plaque isolate designated L variant, ATCC #VR2035 selected, as described in Panicali et al., 1981)), WYETH (ATCC #VR325 marketed as DRYVAC by Wyeth Laboratories, Marietta, Pa.), COPENHAGEN (VC-2), and NYVAC was evaluated by inoculation of two rabbits (A069 and A128). The two rabbits displayed different overall sensitivities to the viruses, with rabbit A128 displaying less severe reactions than rabbit A069. In rabbit A128, lesions were relatively small and resolved by 27 days post-inoculation. On rabbit A069, lesions were intense, especially for the WR inoculation sites, and resolved only after 49 days. Intensity of the lesions was also dependent on the location of the inoculation sites relative to the lymph drainage network. In particular, all sites located above the backspine displayed more intense lesions and required longer times to resolve the lesions located on the flanks. All lesions were measured daily from day 4 to the disappearance of the last lesion, and the means of maximum lesion size and days to resolution were calculated (Table 17). No local reactions were observed from sites injected with the control PBS. Ulcerative lesions were observed at sites injected with WR, VC-2 and WYETH vaccinia virus strains. Significantly, no induration or ulcerative lesions were observed at sites of inoculation with NYVAC.

Persistence of Infectious Virus at the Site of Inoculation. To assess the relative persistence of these viruses at the site of inoculation, a rabbit was inoculated intradermally at multiple sites with 0.1 ml PBS containing 10⁶, 10⁷ or 10⁸ pfu of VC-2, WR, WYETH or NYVAC. For each virus, the 10⁷ pfu dose was located above the backspine, flanked by the 10⁶ and 10⁸ doses. Sites of inoculation were observed daily for 11 days. WR elicited the most intense response, followed by VC-2 and WYETH (Table 18). Ulceration was first observed at day 9 for WR and WYETH and day 10 for VC-2. Sites inoculated with NYVAC or control PBS displayed no induration or ulceration. At day 11 after inoculation, skin samples from the sites of inoculation were excised, mechanically disrupted, and virus was titrated on CEF cells. The results are shown in Table 18. In no case was more virus recovered at this timepoint than was administered. Recovery of vaccinia strain, WR, was approximately 10⁶ pfu of virus at each site irrespective of amount of virus administered. Recovery of vaccinia strains WYETH and VC-2 was 10³ to 10⁴ pfu regardless of amount administered. No infectious virus was recovered from sites inoculated with NYVAC.

Inoculation of Genetically or Chemically Immune Deficient Mice. Intraperitoneal inoculation of high doses of NYVAC (5×10⁸ pfu) or ALVAC (10⁹ pfu) into nude mice caused no deaths, no lesions, and no apparent disease through the 100 day observation period. In contrast, mice inoculated with WR (10³ to 10⁴ pfu), WYETH (5×10⁷ or 5×10⁸ pfu) or VC-2 (10⁴ to 10⁹ pfu) displayed disseminated lesions typical of poxviruses first on the toes, then on the tail, followed by severe orchitis in some animals. In mice infected with WR or WYETH, the appearance of disseminated lesions generally led to eventual death, whereas most mice infected with VC-2 eventually recovered. Calculated LD₅₀ values are given in Table 19.

In particular, mice inoculated with VC-2 began to display lesions on their toes (red papules) and 1 to 2 days later on the tail. These lesions occurred between 11 and 13 days post-inoculation (pi) in mice given the highest doses (10⁹, 10⁸, 10⁷ and 10⁶ pfu), on day 16 pi in mice given 10⁵ pfu and on day 21 pi in mice given 10⁴ pfu. No lesions were observed in mice inoculated with 10³ and 10² pfu during the 100 day observation period. Orchitis was noticed on day 23 pi in mice given 10⁹ and 10⁸ pfu, and approximately 7 days later in the other groups (10⁷ to 10⁴ pfu). Orchitis was especially intense in the 10⁹ and 10⁸ pfu groups and, although receding, was observed until the end of the 100 day observation period. Some pox-like lesions were noticed on the skin of a few mice, occurring around 30-35 days pi. Most pox lesions healed normally between 60-90 days pi. Only one mouse died in the group inoculated with 10⁹ pfu (Day 34 pi) and one mouse died in the group inoculated with 10⁸ pfu (Day 94 pi). No other deaths were observed in the VC-2 inoculated mice.

Mice inoculated with 10⁴ pfu of the WR strain of vaccinia started to display pox lesions on Day 17 pi. These lesions appeared identical to the lesions displayed by the VC-2 injected mice (swollen toes, tail). Mice inoculated with 10³ pfu of the WR strain did not develop lesions until 34 days pi. Orchitis was noticed only in the mice inoculated with the highest dose of WR (10⁴ pfu). During the latter stages of the observation period, lesions appeared around the mouth and the mice stopped eating. All mice inoculated with 10⁴ pfu of WR died or were euthanized when deemed necessary between 21 days and 31 days pi. Four out of the 5 mice injected with 10³ pfu of WR died or were euthanized when deemed necessary between 35 days and 57 days pi. No deaths were observed in mice inoculated with lower doses of WR (1 to 100 pfu).

Mice inoculated with the WYETH strain of vaccinia virus at higher doses 5×10⁷ and 5×10⁸ pfu) showed lesions on toes and tails, developed orchitis, and died. Mice injected with 5×10⁶ pfu or less of WYETH showed no signs of disease or lesions.

As shown in Table 19, CY-treated mice provided a more sensitive model for assaying poxvirus virulence than did nude mice. LD₅₀ values for the WR, WYETH, and VC-2 vaccinia virus strains were significantly lower in this model system than in the nude mouse model. Additionally, lesions developed in mice injected with WYETH, WR and VC-2 vaccinia viruses, as noted below, with higher doses of each virus resulting in more rapid formation of lesions. As was seen with nude mice, CY-treated mice injected with NYVAC or ALVAC did not develop lesions. However, unlike nude mice, some deaths were observed in CY-treated mice challenged with NYVAC or ALVAC, regardless of the dose. These random incidences are suspect as to the cause of death.

Mice injected with all doses of WYETH (9.5×10⁴ to 9.5×10⁸ pfu) displayed pox lesions on their tail and/or on their toes between 7 and 15 days pi. In addition, the tails and toes were swollen. Evolution of lesions on the tail was typical of pox lesions with formation of a papule, ulceration and finally formation of a scab. Mice inoculated with all doses of VC-2 (1.65×10⁵ to 1.65×10⁹) also developed pox lesions on their tails and/or their toes analogous to those of WYETH injected mice. These lesions were observed between 7-12 days post inoculation. No lesions were observed on mice injected with lower doses of WR virus, although deaths occurred in these groups.

Potency Testing of NYVAC-RG. In order to determine that attenuation of the COPENHAGEN strain of vaccinia virus had been effected without significantly altering the ability of the resulting NYVAC strain to be a useful vector, comparative potency tests were performed. In order to monitor the immunogenic potential of the vector during the sequential genetic manipulations performed to attenuate the virus, a rabiesvirus glycoprotein was used as a reporter extrinsic antigen. The protective efficacy of the vectors expressing the rabies glycoprotein gene was evaluated in the standard NIH mouse potency test for rabies (Seligmann, 1973). Table 20 demonstrates that the PD₅₀ values obtained with the highly attenuated NYVAC vector are identical to those obtained using a COPENHAGEN-based recombinant containing the rabies glycoprotein gene in the tk locus (Kieny et al., 1984) and similar to PD₅₀ values obtained with ALVAC-RG, a canarypox based vector restricted to replication to avian species.

Observations. NYVAC, deleted of known virulence genes and having restricted in vitro growth characteristics, was analyzed in animal model systems to assess its attenuation characteristics. These studies were performed in comparison with the neurovirulent vaccinia virus laboratory strain, WR, two vaccinia virus vaccine strains, WYETH (New York City Board of Health) and COPENHAGEN (VC-2), as well as with a canarypox virus strain, ALVAC (See also Example 11). Together, these viruses provided a spectrum of relative pathogenic potentials in the mouse challenge model and the rabbit skin model, with WR being the most virulent strain, WYETH and COPENHAGEN (VC-2) providing previously utilized attenuated vaccine strains with documented characteristics, and ALVAC providing an example of a poxvirus whose replication is restricted to avian species. Results from these in vivo analyses clearly demonstrate the highly attenuated properties of NYVAC relative to the vaccinia virus strains, WR, WYETH and COPENHAGEN (VC-2) (Tables 14-20). Significantly, the LD₅₀ values for NYVAC were comparable to those observed with the avian host restricted avipoxvirus, ALVAC. Deaths due to NYVAC, as well as ALVAC, were observed only when extremely high doses of virus were administered via the intracranial route (Example 11, Tables 14, 15, 19). It has not yet been established whether these deaths were due to nonspecific consequences of inoculation of a high protein mass. Results from analyses in immunocompromised mouse models (nude and CY-treated) also demonstrate the relatively high attenuation characteristics of NYVAC, as compared to WR, WYETH and COPENHAGEN strains (Tables 17 and 18). Significantly, no evidence of disseminated vaccinia infection or vaccinial disease was observed in NYVAC-inoculated animals or ALVAC-inoculated animals over the observation period. The deletion of multiple virulence-associated genes in NYVAC shows a synergistic effect with respect to pathogenicity. Another measure of the innocuity of NYVAC was provided by the intradermal administration on rabbit skin (Tables 17 and 18). Considering the results with ALVAC, a virus unable to replicate in nonavian species, the ability to replicate at the site of inoculation is not the sole correlate with reactivity, since intradermal inoculation of ALVAC caused areas of induration in a dose dependent manner. Therefore, it is likely that factors other than the replicative capacity of the virus contribute to the formation of the lesions. Deletion of genes in NYVAC prevents lesion occurrence.

Together, the results in this Example and in foregoing Examples, including Example 11, demonstrate the highly attenuated nature of NYVAC relative to WR, and the previously utilized vaccinia virus vaccine strains, WYETH and COPENHAGEN. In fact, the pathogenic profile of NYVAC, in the animal model systems tested, was similar to that of ALVAC, a poxvirus known to productively replicate only in avian species. The apparently restricted capacity of NYVAC to productively replicate on cells derived from humans (Table 16) and other species, including the mouse, swine, dog and horse, provides a considerable barrier that limits or prevents potential transmission to unvaccinated contacts or to the general environment in addition to providing a vector with reduced probability of dissemination within the vaccinated individual.

Significantly, NYVAC-based vaccine candidates have been shown to be efficacious. NYVAC recombinants expressing foreign gene products from a number of pathogens have elicited immunological responses towards the foreign gene products in several animal species, including primates. In particular, a NYVAC-based recombinant expressing the rabies glycoprotein was able to protect mice against a lethal rabies challenge. The potency of the NYVAC-based rabies glycoprotein recombinant was comparable to the PD₅₀ value for a COPENHAGEN-based recombinant containing the rabies glycoprotein in the tk locus (Table 20). NYVAC-based recombinants have also been shown to elicit measles virus neutralizing antibodies in rabbits and protection against pseudorabies virus and Japanese encephalitis virus challenge in swine. The highly attenuated NYVAC strain confers safety advantages with human and veterinary applications (Tartaglia et al., 1990). Furthermore, the use of NYVAC as a general laboratory expression vector system may greatly reduce the biological hazards associated with using vaccinia virus.

By the following criteria, the results of this Example and the Examples herein, including Example 11, show NYVAC to be highly attenuated: a) no detectable induration or ulceration at site of inoculation (rabbit skin); b) rapid clearance of infectious virus from intradermal site of inoculation (rabbit skin); c) absence of testicular inflammation (nude mice); d) greatly reduced virulence (intracranial challenge, both three-week old and newborn mice); e) greatly reduced pathogenicity and failure to disseminate in immunodeficient subjects (nude and cyclophosphamide treated mice); and f) dramatically reduced ability to replicate on a variety of human tissue culture cells. Yet, in spite of being highly attenuated, NYVAC, as a vector, retains the ability to induce strong immune responses to extrinsic antigens.

TABLE 16 Replication of COPENHAGEN (VC-2), NYVAC and ALVAC in avian or human derived cell lines Hours post- Yield^(a) % Cells infection VC-2 NYVAC ALVAC Yield CEF  0 3.8^(b) 3.7 4.5 24 8.3 7.8 6.6 48 8.6 7.9 7.7 72 8.3 7.7 7.5 25 72A^(c) <1.4 1.8 3.1 MRC-5  0 3.8 3.8 4.7 72 7.2 4.6 3.8 0.25 72A 2.2 2.2 3.7 WISH*  0 3.4 3.4 4.3 72 7.6 2.2 3.1 0.0004 72A —^(d) 1.9 2.9 DETROIT  0 3.8 3.7 4.4 72 7.2 5.4 3.4 1.6 72A 1.7 1.7 2.9 HEL  0 3.8 3.5 4.3 72 7.5 4.6 3.3 0.125 72A 2.5 2.1 3.6 JT-1  0 3.1 3.1 4.1 72 6.5 3.1 4.2 0.039 72A 2.4 2.1 4.4 HNK  0 3.8 3.7 4.7 72 7.6 4.5 3.6 0.079 72A 3.1 2.7 3.7 ^(a)Yield of NYVAC at 72 hours post-injection expressed as a percentage of yield of VAC-2 after 72 hours on the same cell line. ^(b)Titer expressed as LOG₅₀ pfu per ml. ^(c)Sample was incubated in the presence of 40 ig/ml of cytosine arabinoside. ^(d)Not determined. *ATCC #CCL25 Human amnionic cells.

TABLE 17 Induration and ulceration at the site of intradermal inoculation of the rabbit skin VIRUS INDURATION ULCERATION STRAIN DOSE^(a) Size^(b) Days^(c) Size Days WR 10⁴ 386 30 88 30 10⁵ 622 35 149 32 10⁶ 1057 34 271 34 10⁷ 877 35 204 35 10⁸ 581 25 88 26 WYETH 10⁴ 32 5  —^(d) — 10⁵ 116 15 — — 10⁶ 267 17 3 15 10⁷ 202 17 3 24 10⁸ 240 29 12 31 VC-2 10⁴ 64 7 — — 10⁵ 86 8 — — 10⁶ 136 17 — — 10⁷ 167 21 6 10 10⁸ 155 32 6 8 NYVAC 10⁴ — — — — 10⁵ — — — — 10⁶ — — — — 10⁷ — — — — 10⁸ — — — — ^(a)pfu of indicated vaccinia virus in 0.1 ml PBS inoculated intradermally into one site. ^(b)mean maximum size of lesions (mm²) ^(c)mean time after inoculation for complete healing of lesion. ^(d)no lesions discernable.

TABLE 18 Persistence of poxviruses at the site of intradermal inoculation Virus Inoculum Dose Total Virus Recovered WR  8.0^(a) 6.14 7.0 6.26 6.0 6.21 WYETH 8.0 3.66 7.0 4.10 6.0 3.59 VC-2 8.0 4.47 7.0 4.74 6.0 3.97 NYVAC 8.0 0   7.0 0   6.0 0   ^(a)expressed as log₁₀ pfu.

TABLE 19 Virulence studies in immunocompromised mice LD₅₀ ^(a) Poxvirus Nude Cyclophosphamide Strain mice treated mice WR 422 42 VC-2 >10⁹ <1.65 × 10⁵ WYETH 1.58 × 10⁷   1.83 × 10⁶ NYVAC >5.50 × 10⁸     7.23 × 10⁸ ALVAC >10⁹ ≧5.00 × 10^(8b) ^(a)Calculated 50% lethal dose (pfu) for nude or cyclophosphamide treated mice by the indicated vaccinia viruses and for ALVAC by intraperitoneal route. ^(b)5 out of 10 mice died at the highest dose of 5 × 10⁸ pfu.

TABLE 20 Comparative efficacy of NYVAC-RG and ALVAC-RG in mice Recombinant PD₅₀ ^(a) VV-RG 3.74 ALVAC-RG 3.86 NYVAC-RG 3.70 ^(a)Four to six week old mice were inoculated in the footpad with 50-100 ìl of a range of dilutions (2.0-8.0 log₁₀ tissue culture infection dose 50% (TCID₅₀) of either the VV-RG (Kieny et al., 1984), ALVAC-RG (vCP65) or NYVAC-RG (vP879). At day 14, mice of each group were challenged by intracranial inoculation of 30 ìl of a live CVS strain rabies virus corresponding to 15 lethal dose 50% (LD₅₀) per mouse. # At day 28, surviving mice were counted and a protective dose 50% (PD₅₀) was calculated.

Example 13 Construction of TROVAC Recombinants Expressing the Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins of Avian Influenza Viruses

This Example describes the development of fowlpox virus recombinants expressing the hemagglutinin genes of three serotypes of avian influenza virus.

Cells and Viruses. Plasmids containing cDNA clones of the H4, H5 and H7 hemagglutinin genes were obtained from Dr. Robert Webster, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. The strain of FPV designated FP-1 has been described previously (Taylor et al., 1988a, b). It is a vaccine strain useful in vaccination of day old chickens. The parental virus strain Duvette was obtained in France as a fowlpox scab from a chicken. The virus was attenuated by approximately 50 serial passages in chicken embryonated eggs followed by 25 passages on chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. This virus was obtained in September 1980 by Rhone Merieux, Lyon, France, and a master viral seed established. The virus was received by Virogenetics in September 1989, where it was subjected to four successive plaque purifications. One plaque isolate was further amplified in primary CEF cells and a stock virus, designated as TROVAC, was established. The stock virus used in the in vitro recombination test to produce TROVAC-AIH5 (vFP89) and TROVAC-AIH4 (vFP92) had been further amplified though 8 passages in primary CEF cells. The stock virus used to produce TROVAC-AIH7 (vFP100) had been further amplified through 12 passages in primary CEF cells.

Construction of Fowlpox Insertion Plasmid at F8 Locus. Plasmid pRW731.15 contains a 10 kbp PvuII-PvuII fragment cloned from TROVAC genomic DNA. The nucleotide sequence was determined on both strands for a 3659 bp PvuII-EcoRV fragment. This sequence is shown in FIG. 11 (SEQ ID NO:77). The limits of an open reading frame designated in this laboratory as F8 were determined within this sequence. The open reading frame is initiated at position 495 and terminates at position 1887. A deletion was made from position 779 to position 1926, as described below.

Plasmid pRW761 is a sub-clone of pRW731.15 containing a 2430 bp EcoRV-EcoRV fragment. Plasmid pRW761 was completely digested with XbaI and partially digested with SspI. A 3700 bp XbaI-SspI band was isolated and ligated with the annealed double-stranded oligonucleotides JCA017 (SEQ ID NO:37) and JCA018 (SEQ ID NO:38).

JCA017 (SEQ ID NO:37) 5′ CTAGACACTTTATGTTTTTTAATATCCGGTCTTAAAAGCTTCCCGGGGATCCTTATACGGGGAATAAT 3′

JCA018 (SEQ ID NO:38) 5′ ATTATTCCCCGTATAAGGATCCCCCGGGAAGCTTTTAAGACCGGATATTAAAAAACATAAAGTGT 3′

The plasmid resulting from this ligation was designated pJCA002. Plasmid pJCA004 contains a non-pertinent gene linked to the vaccinia virus H6 promoter in plasmid pJCA002. The sequence of the vaccinia virus H6 promoter has been previously described (Taylor et al., 1988a, b; Guo et al. 1989; Perkus et al., 1989). Plasmid pJCA004 was digested with EcoRV and BamHI which deletes the non-pertinent gene and a portion of the 3′ end of the H6 promoter. Annealed oligonucleotides RW178 (SEQ ID NO:48) and RW179 (SEQ ID NO:49) were cut with EcoRV and BamHI and inserted between the EcoRV and BamHI sites of JCA004 to form pRW846.

RW178 (SEQ ID NO:48): 5′ TCATTATCGCGATATCCGTGTTAACTAGCTAGCTAATTTTTATTCCCGGGATCCTTATCA 3′

RW179 (SEQ ID NO:49): 5′ GTATAAGGATCCCGGGAATAAAAATTAGCTAGCTAGTTAACACGGATATCGCGATAATGA 3′

Plasmid pRW846 therefore contains the H6 promoter 5′ of EcoRV in the de-ORFed F8 locus. The HincII site 3′ of the H6 promoter in pRW846 is followed by translation stop codons, a transcriptional stop sequence recognized by vaccinia virus early promoters (Yuen et al., 1987) and a SmaI site.

Construction of Fowlpox Insertion Plasmid at F7 Locus. The original F7 non-de-ORFed insertion plasmid, pRW731.13, contained a 5.5 kb FP genomic PvuII fragment in the PvuII site of pUC9. The insertion site was a unique HincII site within these sequences. The nucleotide sequence shown in FIG. 12 (SEQ ID NO:78) was determined for a 2356 bp region encompassing the unique HincII site. Analysis of this sequence revealed that the unique HincII site (FIG. 12, underlined) was situated within an ORF encoding a polypeptide of 90 amino acids. The ORF begins with an ATG at position 1531 and terminates at position 898 (positions marked by arrows in FIG. 12).

The arms for the de-ORFed insertion plasmid were derived by PCR using pRW731.13 as template. A 596 bp arm (designated as HB) corresponding to the region upstream from the ORF was amplified with oligonucleotides F73PH2 (SEQ ID NO:50) (5′-GACAATCTAAGTCCTATATTAGAC-3′) and F73PB (SEQ ID NO:51) (5′-GGATTTTTAGGTAGACAC-3′). A 270 bp arm (designated as EH) corresponding to the region downstream from the ORF was amplified using oligonucleotides F75PE (SEQ ID NO:52) (5′-TCATCGTCTTCATCATCG-3′) and F73PH1 (SEQ ID NO:53) (5′-GTCTTAAACTTATTGTAAGGGTATACCTG-3′).

Fragment EH was digested with EcoRV to generate a 126 bp fragment. The EcoRV site is at the 3′-end and the 5′-end was formed, by PCR, to contain the 3′ end of a HincII site. This fragment was inserted into pBS-SK (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) digested with HincII to form plasmid pF7D1. The sequence was confirmed by dideoxynucleotide sequence analysis. The plasmid pF7D1 was linearized with ApaI, blunt-ended using T4 DNA polymerase, and ligated to the 596 bp HB fragment. The resultant plasmid was designated as pF7D2. The entire sequence and orientation were confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis.

The plasmid pF7D2 was digested with EcoRV and BglII to generate a 600 bp fragment. This fragment was inserted into pBS-SK that was digested with ApaI, blunt-ended with T4 DNA polymerase, and subsequently digested with BamHI. The resultant plasmid was designated as pF7D3. This plasmid contains an HB arm of 404 bp and a EH arm of 126 bp.

The plasmid pF7D3 was linearized with XhoI and blunt-ended with the Klenow fragment of the E. coli DNA polymerase in the presence of 2 mM dNTPs. This linearized plasmid was ligated with annealed oligonucleotides F7MCSB (SEQ ID NO:54) (5′-AACGATTAGTTAGTTACTAAAAGCTTGCTGCAGCCCGGGTTTTTTATTAGTTTAGTTAGTC-3′) and F7MCSA (SEQ ID NO:55) (5′-GACTAACTAACTAATAAAAAACCCGGGCTGCAGCAAGCTTTTTGTAACTAACTAATCGTT-3′). This was performed to insert a multiple cloning region containing the restriction sites for HindIII, PstI and SmaI between the EH and HB arms. The resultant plasmid was designated as pF7D0.

Construction of Insertion Plasmid for the H4 Hemagglutinin at the F8 Locus. A cDNA copy encoding the avian influenza H4 derived from A/Ty/Min/833/80 was obtained from Dr. R. Webster in plasmid pTM4H833. The plasmid was digested with HindIII and NruI and blunt-ended using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase in the presence of dNTPs. The blunt-ended 2.5 kbp HindIII-NruI fragment containing the H4 coding region was inserted into the HincII site of pIBI25 (International Biotechnologies, Inc., New Haven, Conn.). The resulting plasmid pRW828 was partially cut with BanII, the linear product isolated and recut with HindIII. Plasmid pRW828 now with a 100 bp HindIII-BanII deletion was used as a vector for the synthetic oligonucleotides RW152 (SEQ ID NO:56) and RW153 (SEQ ID NO:57). These oligonucleotides represent the 3′ portion of the H6 promoter from the EcoRV site and align the ATG of the promoter with the ATG of the H4 cDNA.

RW152 (SEQ ID NO:56): 5′ GCACGGAACAAAGCTTATCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGCTATCAATCACGATTCTGTTCCTGCTCATAGCAGAGGGCTCATCTCAGAAT 3′

RW153 (SEQ ID NO:57): 5′ ATTCTGAGATGAGCCCTCTGCTATGAGCAGGAACAGAATCGTGATTGATAGCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCGCGATAAGCTTTGTTCCGTGC 3′

The oligonucleotides were annealed, cut with BanII and HindIII and inserted into the HindIII-BanII deleted pRW828 vector described above. The resulting plasmid pRW844 was cut with EcoRV and DraI and the 1.7 kbp fragment containing the 3′ H6 promoted H4 coding sequence was inserted between the EcoRV and HincII sites of pRW846 (described previously) forming plasmid pRW848. Plasmid pRW848 therefore contains the H4 coding sequence linked to the vaccinia virus H6 promoter in the de-ORFed F8 locus of fowlpox virus.

Construction of Insertion Plasmid for H5 Hemagglutinin at the F8 Locus. A cDNA clone of avian influenza H5 derived from A/Turkey/Ireland/1378/83 was received in plasmid pTH29 from Dr. R. Webster. Synthetic oligonucleotides RW10 (SEQ ID NO:58) through RW13 (SEQ ID NO:61) were designed to overlap the translation initiation codon of the previously described vaccinia virus H6 promoter with the ATG of the H5 gene. The sequence continues through the 5′ SalI site of the H5 gene and begins again at the 3′ H5 DraI site containing the H5 stop codon.

RW10 (SEQ ID NO:58): 5′ GAAAAATTTAAAGTCGACCTGTTTTGTTGAGTTGTTTGCGTGGTAACCAATGCAAATCTGGTCACT 3′

RW11 (SEQ ID NO:59): 5′ TCTAGCAAGACTGACTATTGCAAAAAGAAGCACTATTTCCTCCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGAT 3′

RW12 (SEQ ID NO:60): 5′ ATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGAGGAAATAGTGCTTCTTTTTGCAATAGTCAGTCTTGCTAGAAGTGACCAGATTTGCATTGGT 3′

RW13 (SEQ ID NO:61): 5′ TACCACGCAAACAACTCAACAAAACAGGTCGACTTTAAATTTTTCTGCA 3′

The oligonucleotides were annealed at 95° C. for three minutes followed by slow cooling at room temperature. This results in the following double strand structure with the indicated ends.

Cloning of oligonucleotides between the EcoRV and PstI sites of pRW742B resulted in pRW744. Plasmid pRW742B contains the vaccinia virus H6 promoter linked to a non-pertinent gene inserted at the HincII site of pRW731.15 described previously. Digestion with PstI and EcoRV eliminates the non-pertinent gene and the 3′-end of the H6 promoter. Plasmid pRW744 now contains the 3′ portion of the H6 promoter overlapping the ATG of avian influenza H5. The plasmid also contains the H5 sequence through the 5′ SalI site and the 3′ sequence from the H5 stop codon (containing a DraI site). Use of the DraI site removes the H5 3′ non-coding end. The oligonucleotides add a transcription termination signal recognized by early vaccinia virus RNA polymerase (Yuen et al., 1987). To complete the H6 promoted H5 construct, the H5 coding region was isolated as a 1.6 kpb SalI-DraI fragment from pTH29. Plasmid pRW744 was partially digested with DraI, the linear fragment isolated, recut with SalI and the plasmid now with eight bases deleted between SalI and DraI was used as a vector for the 1.6 kpb pTH29 SalI and DraI fragment. The resulting plasmid pRW759 was cut with EcoRV and DraI. The 1.7 kbp PRW759 EcoRV-DraI fragment containing the 3′ H6 promoter and the H5 gene was inserted between the EcoRV and HincII sites of pRW846 (previously described). The resulting plasmid pRW849 contains the H6 promoted avian influenza virus H5 gene in the de-ORFed F8 locus.

Construction of Insertion Vector for H7 Hemagglutinin at the F7 Locus. Plasmid pCVH71 containing the H7 hemagglutinin from A/CK/VIC/1/85 was received from Dr. R. Webster. An EcoRI-BamHI fragment containing the H7 gene was blunt-ended with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase and inserted into the HincII site of pIBI25 as PRW827. Synthetic oligonucleotides RW165 (SEQ ID NO:62) and RW166 (SEQ ID NO:63) were annealed, cut with HincII and StyI and inserted between the EcoRV and StyI sites of pRW827 to generate pRW845.

RW165 (SEQ ID NO:62): 5′ GTACAGGTCGACAAGCTTCCCGGGTATCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGAATACTCAAATTCTAATACTCACTCTTGTGGCAGCCATTCACACAAATGCAGACAAAATCTGCCTTGGACATCAT 3′

RW166 (SEQ ID NO:63): 5′ ATGATGTCCAAGGCAGATTTTGTCTGCATTTGTGTGAATGGCTGCCACAAGAGTGAGTATTAGAATTTGAGTATTCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCGCGATACCCGGGAAGCTTGTCGACCTGTAC 3′

Oligonucleotides RW165 (SEQ ID NO:62) and RW166 (SEQ ID NO:63) link the 3′ portion of the H6 promoter to the H7 gene. The 3′ non-coding end of the H7 gene was removed by isolating the linear product of an ApaLI digestion of pRW845, recutting it with EcoRI, isolating the largest fragment and annealing with synthetic oligonucleotides RW227 (SEQ ID NO:64) and RW228 (SEQ ID NO:65). The resulting plasmid was pRW854.

RW227 (SEQ ID NO:64): 5′ ATAACATGCGGTGCACCATTTGTATATAAGTTAACGAATTCCAAGTCAAGC 3′

RW228 (SEQ ID NO:65): 5′ GCTTGACTTGGAATTCGTTAACTTATATACAAATGGTGCACCGCATGTTAT 3′

The stop codon of H7 in PRW854 is followed by an HpaI site. The intermediate H6 promoted H7 construct in the de-ORFed F7 locus (described below) was generated by moving the pRW854 EcoRV-HpaI fragment into pRW858 which had been cut with EcoRV and blunt-ended at its PstI site. Plasmid pRW858 (described below) contains the H6 promoter in an F7 de-ORFed insertion plasmid.

The plasmid pRW858 was constructed by insertion of an 850 bp SmaI/HpaI fragment, containing the H6 promoter linked to a non-pertinent gene, into the SmaI site of pF7D0 described previously. The non-pertinent sequences were excised by digestion of pRW858 with EcoRV (site 24 bp upstream of the 3′-end of the H6 promoter) and PstI. The 3.5 kb resultant fragment was isolated and blunt-ended using the Klenow fragment of the E. coli DNA polymerase in the presence of 2 mM dNTPs. This blunt-ended fragment was ligated to a 1700 bp EcoRV/HpaI fragment derived from pRW854 (described previously). This EcoRV/HpaI fragment contains the entire AIV HA (H7) gene juxtaposed 3′ to the 3′-most 24 bp of the VV H6 promoter. The resultant plasmid was designated pRW861.

The 126 bp EH arm (defined previously) was lengthened in pRW861 to increase the recombination frequency with genomic TROVAC DNA. To accomplish this, a 575 bp AccI/SnaBI fragment was derived from pRW 731.13 (defined previously). The fragment was isolated and inserted between the AccI and NaeI sites of pRW861. The resultant plasmid, containing an EH arm of 725 bp and a HB arm of 404 bp flanking the AIV H7 gene, was designated as pRW869. Plasmid pRW869 therefore consists of the H7 coding sequence linked at its 5′ end to the vaccinia virus H6 promoter. The left flanking arm consists of 404 bp of TROVAC sequence and the right flanking arm of 725 bp of TROVAC sequence which directs insertion to the de-ORFed F7 locus.

Development of TROVAC-Avian Influenza Virus Recombinants. Insertion plasmids containing the avian influenza virus HA coding sequences were individually transfected into TROVAC infected primary CEF cells by using the calcium phosphate precipitation method previously described (Panicali et al., 1982; Piccini et al., 1987). Positive plaques were selected on the basis of hybridization to HA specific radiolabelled probes and subjected to sequential rounds of plaque purification until a pure population was achieved. One representative plaque was then amplified to produce a stock virus. Plasmid pRW849 was used in an in vitro recombination test to produce recombinant TROVAC-AIH5 (vFP89) expressing the H5 hemagglutinin. Plasmid pRW848 was used to produce recombinant TROVAC-AIH4 (vFP92) expressing the H4 hemagglutinin. Plasmid pRW869 was used to produce recombinant TROVAC-AIH7 (vFP100) expressing the H7 hemagglutinin.

Immunofluorescence. In influenza virus infected cells, the HA molecule is synthesized and glycosylated as a precursor molecule at the rough endoplasmic reticulum. During passage to the plasma membrane it undergoes extensive post-translational modification culminating in proteolytic cleavage into the disulphide linked HA₁ and HA₂ subunits and insertion into the host cell membrane where it is subsequently incorporated into mature viral envelopes. To determine whether the HA molecules produced in cells infected with the TROVAC-AIV recombinant viruses were expressed on the cell surface, immunofluorescence studies were performed. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed as described (Taylor et al., 1990). Surface expression of the H5 hemagglutinin in TROVAC-AIH5, H4 hemagglutinin in TROVAC-AIH4 and H7 hemagglutinin in TROVAC-AIH7 was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence. Expression of the H5 hemagglutinin was detected using a pool of monoclonal antibodies specific for the H5HA. Expression of the H4HA was analyzed using a goat monospecific anti-H4 serum. Expression of the H7HA was analyzed using a H7 specific monoclonal antibody preparation.

Immunoprecipitation. It has been determined that the sequence at and around the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin molecule plays an important role in determining viral virulence since cleavage of the hemagglutinin polypeptide is necessary for virus particles to be infectious. The hemagglutinin proteins of the virulent H5 and H7 viruses possess more than one basic amino acid at the carboxy terminus of HA1. It is thought that this allows cellular proteases which recognize a series of basic amino acids to cleave the hemagglutinin and allow the infectious virus to spread both in vitro and in vivo. The hemagglutinin molecules of H4 avirulent strains are not cleaved in tissue culture unless exogenous trypsin is added.

In order to determine that the hemagglutinin molecules expressed by the TROVAC recombinants were authentically processed, immunoprecipitation experiments were performed as described (Taylor et al., 1990) using the specific reagents described above.

Immunoprecipitation analysis of the H5 hemagglutinin expressed by TROVAC-AIH5 (vFP89) showed that the glycoprotein is evident as the two cleavage products HA₁ and HA₂ with approximate molecular weights of 44 and 23 kDa, respectively. No such proteins were precipitated from uninfected cells or cells infected with parental TROVAC. Similarly immunoprecipitation analysis of the hemagglutinin expressed by TROVAC-AIH7 (vFP100) showed specific precipitation of the HA₂ cleavage product. The HA₁ cleavage product was not recognized. No proteins were specifically precipitated from uninfected CEF cells or TROVAC infected CEF cells. In contrast, immunoprecipitation analysis of the expression product of TROVAC-AIH4 (vFP92) showed expression of only the precursor protein HA₀. This is in agreement with the lack of cleavage of the hemagglutinins of avirulent subtypes in tissue culture. No H4 specific proteins were detected in uninfected CEF cells or cells infected with TROVAC. Generation of recombinant virus by recombination, in situ hybridization of nitrocellulose filters and screening for B-galactosidase activity are as previously described (Panicali et al., 1982; Perkus et al., 1989).

Example 14 Generation of NYVAC- and ALVAC-Based Recombinant Containing the Gene Encoding Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α)

TNF-α is a cytokine produced by CTLs. It is one of the products of these cells that is responsible for killing tumor cells during an immune response. It has previously been shown that the injection of recombinant TNF could mediate the necrosis and regression of a variety of established murine cancers (Asher et al., 1987). The exact mechanisms for this anti-tumor activity remain unclear, although TNF apparently affects the vascular supply of tumors (Asher et al., 1987). Both the secreted and membrane-bound forms of TNF-α may be critical for its anti-tumor activities (Kriegler et al., 1987).

Plasmid pE4, containing the human necrosis factor-α gene was extracted from E. coli transformed with this plasmid. The pE4 transformed E. coli were obtained from ATCC (ATCC #CLN-39894). PCR fragment PCR-TNF4 (755 bp) was generated using pE4 as template and oligonucleotides TNF3 (SEQ ID NO:66); 5′-ATCATCTCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGAGCACTGAAAGCATGATC-3′) containing the 3′-most region of the vaccinia H6 promoter (from the NruI site to the end; Perkus et al., 1989) and the first 21 bp of the TNF-α coding sequence, and oligonucleotide TNF2 (SEQ ID NO:67) (5′-ATCATCTCTAGAATAAAAATCACAGGGCAATGATCCC-3′), containing the last 15 bp of the TNF-α coding sequence, a vaccinia early transcription termination signal (T₅NT; Yuen and Moss, 1986), and an XbaI restriction site. A complete NruI/XbaI digestion was performed and the resultant 735 bp fragment was isolated and inserted into the 4.8 kb NruI/XbaI fragment obtained by the digestion of the generic insertion plasmid pVQH6C5LSP. The resultant plasmid was designated pMAW048. The nucleotide sequence of the entire H6-TNF-α expression cassette was confirmed as described by Goebel et al. (1990).

Plasmid pVQH6C5LSP was derived in the following manner:

A C5 insertion vector containing 1535 bp upstream of C5, polylinker containing KpnI, SmaI, XbaI, and NotI sites, and 404 bp of canarypox DNA (31 bp of C5 coding sequence and 373 bp of downstream sequence) was derived in the following manner. A genomic library of canarypox DNA was constructed in the cosmid vector pVK102 (Knauf et al., 1982) probed with pRW764.5 and a clone containing a 29 kb insert identified (pHCOS1). A 3.3 kb ClaI fragment from pHCOS1 containing the C5 region was identified. Sequence analysis of the ClaI fragment was used to extend the sequence in FIG. 8 (SEQ ID NO:68) from nucleotides 1-1372.

The C5 insertion vector was constructed as follows. The 1535 bp upstream sequence was generated by PCR amplification using oligonucleotides C5A (SEQ ID NO:69) (5′-ATCATCGAATTCTGAATGTTAAATGTTATACTTG-3′) and C5B (SEQ ID NO:75) (5′-GGGGGTACCTTTGAGAGTACCACTTCAG-3′) and purified genomic canarypox DNA as template. This fragment was digested with EcoRI (within oligo C5A) and cloned into EcoRI/SmaI digested pUC8 generating pC5LAB. The 404 bp arm was generated by PCR amplification using oligonucleotides C5C (SEQ ID NO:71) (5′-GGGTCTAGAGCGGCCGCTTATAAAGATCTAAAATGCATAATTTC-3′) and C5DA (SEQ ID NO:72) (5′-ATCATCCTGCAGGTATTCTAAACTAGGAATAGATG-3′). This fragment was digested with PstI (within oligo C5DA) and cloned into SmaI/PstI digested pC5LAB generating pC5L. pC5L was digested within the polylinker with Asp718 and NotI, treated with alkaline phosphatase and ligated to kinased and annealed oligonucleotides CP26 (SEQ ID NO:73) (5′-GTACGTGACTAATTAGCTATAAAAAGGATCCGGTACCCTCGAGTCTAGAATCGATCCCGGGTTTTTATGACTAGTTAATCAC-3′) and CP27 (SEQ ID NO:74) (5′-GGCCGTGATTAACTAGTCATAAAAACCCGGGATCGATTCTAGACTCGAGGGTACCGGATCCTTTTTATAGCTAATTAGTCAC-3′) (containing a disabled Asp718 site, translation stop codons in six reading frames, vaccinia early transcription termination signal (Yuen and Moss, 1987), BamHI, KpnI, XhoI, XbaI, ClaI, and SmaI restriction sites, vaccinia early transcription termination signal, translation stop codons in six reading frames, and a disabled NotI site) generating plasmid pC5LSP.

The early/late H6 vaccinia virus promoter (Perkus et al., 1989) was derived by PCR from a plasmid containing the promoter using oligonucleotides CP30 (SEQ ID NO:75) (5′-TCGGGATCCGGGTTAATTAATTAGTCATCAGGCAGGGCG-3′) and CP31 (SEQ ID NO:76) (5′-TAGCTCGAGGGTACCTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCG-3′). The PCR product was digested with BamHI and XhoI (sites created at the 5′ and 3′ termini by the PCR) and ligated to similarly digested pC5LSP generating pVQH6C5LSP.

Plasmid pMAW048 was used in in vitro recombination assays with ALVAC (CPpp) as rescue virus to yield recombinant virus vCP245. Insertion with this plasmid replaces the two copies of the C5 open reading frame with the human TNF-α expression cassette. FIG. 15 presents the nucleotide sequence of the H6/TNFα sequence and flanking regions within vCP245 (SEQ ID NO:79). The H6 promoter starts at position 74. The TNF-α start codon is at position 201, and the TNF-α stop codon is at position 902. Positions 1 through 73 and positions 903 through 965 flank the H6/TNF-α expression cassette.

PCR fragment PCR-TNFH6 (156 bp) was amplified from plasmid pBSH6 using oligonucleotides H65PH (SEQ ID NO:80) (5′-ATCATCAAGCTTGATTCTTTATTCTATAC-3′) containing a HindIII site in the initial 21 bp of the H6 promoter region and TNFH6 (SEQ ID NO:81) (5′-CATGCTTTCAGTGCTCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGG-3′) containing the 3′-most 19 nucleotides of the H6 promoter and the 5′-most 18 nucleotides of the TNF coding sequence.

Plasmid pBSH6 was generated in the following manner. The vaccinia H6 promoter through the EcoRV site was derived from a plasmid containing the synthetic H6 promoter (Perkus et al., 1989) using PCR and primers H6PCR2 (SEQ ID NO:82) (5′-TTAACGGATATCGCGATAATG-3′) and H6PCR1 (SEQ ID NO:83) (5′-ACTACTAAGCTTCTTTATTCTATACTTAAAAAGTG-3′) creating a 5′ HindIII site. This 122 bp PCR-derived fragment was digested with HindIII and EcoRV followed by ligation to similarly digested pBS-SK⁺ (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) generating plasmid pBSH6. The insert was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis.

PCR fragment PCR-TNF (721 bp) was amplified from plasmid pE4 using oligonucleotides TNF1 (SEQ ID NO:84) (5′-ATGAGCACTGAAAGCATG-3′) containing the initial 18 nucleotides of the TNF-α coding sequence and TNF2 (SEQ ID NO:67). The PCR fragment, PCR-TNF fusion (859 bp), was generated using PCR-TNFH6 and PCR-TNF as templates and oligonucleotides H65PH (SEQ ID NO:80) and TNF2 (SEQ ID NO:67) as primers. PCR-TNF fusion was digested with HindIII and XbaI and the resultant 841 bp fragment was inserted into pBS-SK⁺ (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) digested with HindIII and XbaI. The resultant plasmid was designated pMAW047 and the H6-TNF cassette was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis as described previously (Goebel et al., 1990).

The 841 bp HindIII/XbaI fragment containing the H6-TNF-α expression cassette was isolated from pMAW047, blunt-ended using the Klenow fragment of the E. coli DNA polymerase in the presence of 2 mM dNTPs, and inserted into the vaccinia insertion plasmid pSD541. The resultant plasmid was designated pMAW049.

Plasmid pSD541 was derived in the following manner. Flanking arms for the ATI region were generated by PCR using subclones of the Copenhagen HindIII A region as template. Oligonucleotides MPSYN267 (SEQ ID NO:85) (5′-GGGCTCAAGCTTGCGGCCGCTCATTAGACAAGCGAATGAGGGAC-3′) and MPSYN268 (SEQ ID NO:86) (5′-AGATCTCCCGGGCTCGAGTAATTAATTAATTTTTATTACACCAGAAAAGACGGCTTGAGATC-3′) were used to derive the 420 bp vaccinia arm to the right of the ATI deletion. Synthetic oligonucleotides MPSYN269 (SEQ ID NO:87) (5′-TAATTACTCGAGCCCGGGAGATCTAATTTAATTTAATTTATATAACTCATTTTTTGAATATACT-3′) and MPSYN270 (SEQ ID NO:88) (5′-TATCTCGAATTCCCGCGGCTTTAAATGGACGGAACTCTTTTCCCC-3′) were used to derive the 420 bp vaccinia arm to the left of the deletion. The left and right arms were fused together by PCR and are separated by a polylinker region specifying restriction sites for BglII, SmaI, and XhoI. The PCR-generated fragment was digested with HindIII and EcoRI to yield sticky ends, and ligated into pUC8 digested with HindIII and EcoRI to generate pSD541.

The plasmid pMAW047 was used in in vitro recombination assays (Piccini et al., 1987) with NYVAC (vP866; Tartaglia et al., 1992) as the rescue virus. Recombination with this plasmid replaces the ATI open reading frame with the H6-TNF-α expression cassette. The NYVAC recombinant virus containing the H6-TNF-α cassette was designated vP1200 . FIG. 16 presents the nucleotide sequence of the H6/TNF-α expression cassette incorporated into the NYVAC recombinant, vP1200 , and flanking NYVAC sequences (SEQ ID NO:89). The H6 promoter starts at position 59. The TNF-α start codon is at position 185, and the TNF-α stop codon is at position 884. Positions 1 through 58 and positions 885 through 947 flank the H6/TNF-α expression cassette.

TABLE 21 Expression of Human TNF-α by vP1200 and vCP245 Sample Description TNF-α (ng/ml) vP1196 NYVAC-CMVgB+pp65  0 vP1200 NYVAC-TNF-α >240    CPpp ALVAC  0 vCP245 ALVAC-TNF-α 59

Expression of TNF-α by vP1200 (NYVAC-TNF-α) and vCP245 (ALVAC-TNF-α) was measured by ELISA assay, using a commercially available kit (Genzyme Diagnostics, Cambridge, Mass., cat.#1915-01). Samples were prepared by infection of Vero cells (NYVAC recombinants) or primary chick embryo fibroblasts (ALVAC) with recombinant or parent virus. The cells were harvested when CPE was complete and the infected cell lysates were used for the ELISA assay, after sonication and clarification by centrifugation at 500×g for 10 min. One control, vP1196, which expresses two cytomegalovirus proteins, gB and pp65, was prepared in the same manner as the TNF-α recombinants. The other control, ALVAC parent, was a partially purified virus stock. All samples contained approximately 10⁷ PFU/ml of virus. The results, shown in Table 21, indicate that both vP1200 and vCP245 are expressing human TNF-α. Expression of such levels in vivo can be therapeutic.

Example 15 NYVAC and ALVAC-Based p53 Recombinant Viruses

The nuclear phosphoprotein, p53, is found in normal cells at very low steady state levels. Expression of p53 is tightly regulated throughout the cell cycle and may be involved in controlling cell proliferation. The molecular mechanisms by which p53 exerts its tumor suppressor activity remain unknown, although p53 appears to exist in two conformational states. One form is unique to wildtype p53 and is associated with the ability to block cell cycle progression while the second form is associated with the ability to promote cell proliferation and is common to wildtype and mutant forms (reviewed by Ulrich et al., 1992). p53 is the gene most frequently found to be mutated in a wide variety of human tumors (reviewed by Hollstein et al., 1991).

Probably the most studied cancer associated with p53 mutation is breast cancer. It is known that p53 mutation results in the overexpression of the p53 gene product in primary breast cancer patients (Davidoff et al., 1991). The basis for p53 overexpression was found to result from a post-transcriptional mechanism, since p53-specific mRNA levels were similar in tumors with high and low level protein expression. Further, the p53 mRNA from overexpressing tumors were found to contain missense mutations in highly conserved regions of the gene. These mutations were subsequently found to give rise to more stable p53 protein forms which form complexes with heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70). Since HSP-70 proteins have been implicated in antigen processing, not only may the humoral response to p53 observed in a subset of breast cancer patients have resulted from unique processing/presentation modes for complexes, such an association may also elicit cellular anti-p53 protein responses (Davidoff et al., 1992). Such anti-p53 cellular immune responses may be more germane to the eventual immunotherapy of such cancers.

Generation of Poxvirus-based Recombinant Viruses Expressing Wildtype and Mutant Forms of the Human p53 Gene Product

Three plasmids, p53wtXbaISP6/T3, p53-217XbaI, and p53-238XbaI containing wildtype human p53 gene sequences, and two mutant forms of p53, respectively, were obtained from Dr. Jeffrey Marks (Duke University). The p53-217XbaI contains a p53 gene encoding a p53 product lacking codon 217 while p53-238XbaI encodes a p53 gene product with an cysteine to arginine substitution at amino acid 238. The sequence of the wildtype p53 cDNA and the deduced amino acid sequence was described previously (Lamb and Crawford, 1986; FIG. 3).

All three p53 genes were individually juxtaposed 3′ to the modified vaccinia virus H6 promoter described by Perkus et al., 1989. These manipulations were performed in the following manner. A 227 bp PCR-derived fragment was generated using oligonucleotides MM002 (SEQ ID NO:90) (5′-GATCTGACTGCGGCTCCTCCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGG-3′) and RW425 (SEQ ID NO:91) (5′-GTGGGTAAGGGAATTCGGATCCCCGGGTTAATTAATTAGTGATAC-3′) and plasmid pRW825 as template. PCR using these oligonucleotides amplifies the vaccinia H6 promoter sequences from pRW825 such that the 3′ end of the promoter is precisely linked to the 5′most region of the p53 coding sequence. Plasmid pRW825 contains the vaccinia virus H6 promoter (Perkus et al., 1989) linked to a nonpertinent gene.

PCR was also used to generate a 480 bp and 250 bp fragment from p53wtXbaISP6/T3. The 480 bp fragment was derived with oligonucleotides MM003 (SEQ ID NO:92) (5′-GTTTGTATCGTAATGGAGGAGCCGCAGTCAGATC-3′) and MM008 (SEQ ID NO:93) (5′-CATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCGCGACGCGTTCACACAGGGCAGGTCTTGGC-3′). This fragment contains the 3′ portion of the vaccinia virus H6 promoter sequences and the 5′ portion of the p53 coding sequences through the SgrAI site. The 250 bp fragment was derived by amplification with oligonucleotides MM005 (SEQ ID NO:94) (5′-TACTACCTCGAGCCCGGGATAAAAAACGCGTTCAGTCTGAGTCAGGCCC-3′) and MM007 (SEQ ID NO:95) (5′-GTGTGAACGCGTCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGCAGCTGCGTGGGCGTGAGCGCTTC-3′). This PCR fragment contains the 3′ end of the p53 coding sequences beginning at the StuI restriction site. The 480 bp and 250 bp PCR fragments were generated such that the 5′ end of the MM005/MM007-derived (SEQ ID NO:94/95) fragment overlaps the 3′ end of the MM003/MM008-derived (SEQ ID NO:92/93) fragment.

The 227 bp, 480 bp, and 250 bp PCR-derived fragments were pooled and fused by PCR using oligonucleotides MM006 (SEQ ID NO:96) (5′-ATCATCGGATCCCCCGGGTTCTTTATTCTATAC-3′) and MM005 (SEQ ID NO:94). The 783 bp fused PCR product contains the H6 promoter juxtaposed 5′ to the 5′ portion of the p53 coding sequence (through the SgrAI restriction site) followed by the end of the p53 coding sequence beginning at the StuI site. Following the end of the p53 coding sequence, a T₅NT sequence motif providing early vaccinia transcription termination (Yuen and Moss, 1986) and a unique XhoI site were added. It should be noted that the final H6-p53 PCR fusion product (783 bp) does not contain the p53 coding sequences between the SgrAI and StuI restriction sites.

The 783 bp fusion was digested with BamHI (5′ end) and XhoI (3′ end) and inserted into plasmid pSD550 to yield plasmid pMM105. Plasmid pSD550 enables the insertion of foreign genes into the vaccinia I4L locus by replacing the I4L coding sequence. This plasmid was derived from pSD548 (Tartaglia et al., 1992) by first digesting this plasmid with BglII and SmaI. This digested plasmid was then ligated to annealed oligonucleotides 539A (SEQ ID NO:97) (5′-AGAAAAATCAGTTAGCTAAGATCTCCCGGGCTCGAGGGTACCGGATCCTGATTAGTTAATTTTTGT-3′) and 539B (SEQ ID NO:98) (5′-GATCACAAAAATTAACTAATCAGGATCCGGTACCCTCGAGCCCGGGAGATCTTAGCTAACTGATTTTTCT-3) to generate pSD550.

Plasmids containing intact p53 gene (wildtype or mutant forms) juxtaposed 3′ to the H6 promoter were generated by first digesting pMM105 with SgrAI and StuI. A 795 bp SgrAI/StuI fragment was isolated from p53wtXbaISP6/T3 and p53-238XbaI, while a 792 bp fragment was isolated from p53-217XbaI. These fragments were individually ligated to the SgrAI/StuI digested pMM105 plasmid to yield pMM106, pMM108, and pMM107, respectively.

Plasmids pMM106, pMM107, and pMM108 were used in standard in vitro recombination experiments (Piccini et al., 1987) with NYVAC (vP866; Tartaglia et al., 1992) as the rescue virus to generate recombinant viruses vP1101, vP1096, and vP1098, respectively. FIG. 17 presents the nucleotide sequence of the wildtype p53 expression cassette and flanking regions within vP1101 (SEQ ID NO:99). The H6 promoter starts at position 145. The p53 start codon is at position 269, and the p53 stop codon is at position 1450. Positions 1 through 144 and positions 1451 through 1512 flank the H6/p53 expression cassette. The sequences within vP1096 and vP1098 are identical except vP1096 contains a 3 base deletion from nucleotide 920 to 922 while vP1101 contains a point mutation at nucleotide 980 (T or C).

Both immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays were performed using a p53-specific monoclonal antibody (pAB1801, Oncogene Science provided by Dr. J. Marks) to demonstrate expression of p53 in vP1101, vP1098 and vP1096 infected Vero cells. These assays were performed as described previously (Taylor et al., 1990). Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated p53-specific fluorescent staining of cells infected with vP1101, vP1096, or vP1098. The p53 antigen was located in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the infected cells. The nuclear staining, however, was more intense in vP1101 infected cells. These results are similar to those reported by Ronen et al. (1992) using replication-competent vaccinia to express wildtype and mutant forms of p53. No p53-specific fluorescent staining was observed in Vero cells infected with the parental NYVAC virus, vP866.

ALVAC (CPpp) p53 insertion plasmids were engineered by excising the p53 expression cassettes from pMM106, pMM107, and pMM108 by digestion with BamHI and XhoI and inserting them individually into BamHI/XhoI digested pNVQC5LSP-7. The 1320 bp BamHI/XhoI fragment containing the H6-p53 expression cassette from pMM106 and pMM108 was inserted into pNVQC5LSP-7 to yield pMM110 and pMM112, respectively, while the 1317 bp BamHI/XhoI fragment derived from pMM107 and inserted into pNVQC5LSP-7 yielded pMM111.

The plasmid pNVQC5LSP-7 was derived in the following manner. pC5LSP (defined in Example 1) was digested with BamHI and ligated to annealed oligonucleotides CP32 (SEQ ID NO:100) (5′-CATCTTAATTAATTAGTCATCAGGCAGGGCGAGAACGAAGACTATCTGCTCGTTAATTAATTAGGTCGACG-3′) and CP33 (SEQ ID NO:101) (5′-CATCCGTCGACCTAATTAATTAACGACGACATAGTCTCGTTCTCGCCTGCCTGATGACTAATTAATTAA-3′) to generate pVQC5LSP6. pVQC5LSP6 was digested with EcoRI, treated with alkaline phosphatase and ligated to self-annealed kinased oligonucleotide CP29 (SEQ ID NO:102) (5′-AATTGCGGCCGC-3′), digested with NotI and linear was purified followed by self-ligation. This procedure introduced a NotI site to pVQC5LSP6, generating pNVQC5LSP-7.

Insertion plasmids pMM110, pMM111, and pMM112 were used in standard in vitro recombination experiments (Piccini et al., 1987) with ALVAC (CPpp) as the rescue virus to yield vCP207, vCP193 and vCP191, respectively. Confirmation of expression of the p53 gene product was accomplished by immunoprecipitation assays performed as described above. FIG. 18 presents the nucleotide sequence of the H6/p53 (wildtype) expression cassette and flanking regions from vCP207 (SEQ ID NO:103). The H6 promoter starts at position 109. The p53 start codon is at position 233, and the p53 stop codon is at position 1414. Positions 1 through 232 and positions 1415 through 1483 flank the H6/p53 expression cassette. The nucleotide sequence is identical to that within vCP193 and vCP191 except vCP193 contains a 3 nucleotide deletion from nucleotide 973 to 975 while vCP191 contains a point mutation at nucleotide 94 to (T to C).

A listing of the NYVAC- and ALVAC-based p53 recombinant viruses is provided in Table 22.

TABLE 22 NYVAC and ALVAC-based p53 recombinant viruses Recombinant Virus Parent Virus Gene Insert vP1101 NYVAC w.t. 53 vP1096 NYVAC p53 (−aa 217) vP1098 NYVAC p53 (aa238; C to R) vCP207 ALVAC w.t. 53 vCP193 ALVAC p53 (−aa 217) vCP191 ALVAC p53 (aa 238; C to R)

Example 16 Utility of NYVAC- and ALVAC-Based Recombinant Viruses Containing the Mage-1 Gene

Human melanoma-associated antigen MZ2-E is encoded by the MAGE-1 gene (Reviewed by van der Bruggen and Van der Eynde, 1992). MAGE-1 is expressed in primary melanoma tumor cells, melanoma-derived cell lines, and certain tumors of non-melanoma origins but not in normal cells except in testis (Coulie et al., 1993). Of interest from an immunological perspective, CTLs from melanoma-bearing patients that are of the HLA-A1 MHC haplotype are known to recognize a nonapeptide from the MZ2-E gene product (Traveseri et al., 1992). Therefore, definition of such an antigen provides a mechanism for targeted immunotherapy for HLA-typed (HLA-A1) melanoma patients.

Generation of NYVAC- and ALVAC-based Recombinant Viruses Containing the MAGE-1 Gene

PCR fragment PCR-H6 (162 bp) was synthesized using pBSH6 (described in Example 14) as template and oligonucleotides H65PH (SEQ ID NO:80) and M1-4 (SEQ ID NO:104) (5′-CAGACTCCTCTGCTCAAGAGACATTACGATACAAACTTAACG-3′) which contains the last 18 bp of the H6 promoter and the initial 24 nucleotides of the MAGE-1 gene. A second PCR fragment (PCR-M1) was amplified from plasmid pTZ18RMAGE1 using oligonucleotides M1-1 (SEQ ID NO:105) (5′-ATGTCTCTTGAGCAGAGGAGTCTG-3′ and M1-2 (SEQ ID NO:106) (5′-CAGGCCATCATAGGAGAGACC-3′). The resultant PCR fragment represents the initial 546 bp of the MAGE-1 coding sequence.

Plasmid pTZ18RMAGE-1 contains a cDNA clone of the MAGE-1 gene. This gene encodes the MZE-2 human melanoma rejection antigen. This plasmid was provided by Dr. Lloyd Old (Memorial Sloan-Kettering, NY, N.Y.) who obtained the plasmid originally from Dr. Thierry Boon (Ludwig Inst. for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium).

PCR fusion product, PCR-H6M1 was generated using PCR-H6 and PCR-M1 as templates and oligonucleotides H65PH (SEQ ID NO:80) and M1-2 (SEQ ID NO:106) as primers. A complete HindIII/BglII digestion of PCR-H6M1 was performed and the resultant 556 bp was purified for subsequent cloning steps.

PCR fragment PCR-M3′ (535 bp) was amplified from pTZ18RMAGE-1 using oligonucleotides M1-3 (SEQ ID NO:107) (5′-GTGGCTGATTTGGTTGGTTTTCTG-3′) which contains 24 nucleotides complementary to the MAGE-1 gene at a region approximately 200 bp upstream of the M1-2 oligonucleotide sequence and M1-5 (SEQ ID NO:108) (5′-ATCATCTCTAGAAAAAAAATCACATAGCTGGTTTCAG-3′) containing the terminal 15 nucleotides of the MAGE-1 coding sequence, a vaccinia early transcription termination signal (T₅NT; Yuen and Moss, 1986) and an XbaI restriction site. PCR-M3′ was digested with BglII and XbaI. The resultant 414 bp fragment was isolated and co-inserted into HindIII/XbaI digested pBS-SK(+) with the 556 bp HindIII/BglII digested PCR fragment PCR-H6M1. The resultant plasmid containing the entire H6-MAGE-1 expression cassette was designated pMAW034. The H6-MAGE-1 cassette was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis as per Goebel et al., 1990).

The 864 bp NruI/XbaI fragment from pMAW034 was isolated and inserted into pVQH6C5LSP (described in Example 14) that was digested in a similar fashion. The resultant plasmid was designated pMAW036. This plasmid served as the insertion plasmid for replacing the two C5 ORFs in the ALVAC genome with the H6-MAGE-1 expression cassette.

Plasmid pMAW036 was used in standard in vitro recombination experiments with ALVAC as the rescuing virus. Recombinant virus were identified by an in situ plaque hybridization assay using MAGE-1-specific radiolabeled DNA probes. Recombinant plaques were plaque purified and amplified. The resultant ALVAC-based recombinant containing the MAGE-1 gene was designated vCP235. FIG. 19 presents the nucleotide sequence of the H6/MAGE-1 expression cassette and flanking region contained within vCP235 (SEQ ID NO:109). The H6 promoter starts at position 74. The MAGE-1 start codon is at position 201, and the MAGE-1 stop codon is at position 1031. Positions 1 through 73 and positions 1032 through 1094 flank the H6/MAGE-1 expression cassette.

The NYVAC (vP866) insertion plasmid pMAW037 was generated by initially digesting pMAW034 with NruI/BamHI. The resultant 879 bp fragment was isolated and inserted into NruI/BamHI digested pSPHAH6. The resultant plasmid was designated pMAW037.

Plasmid pSPHAH6 was generated in the following manner. Plasmid pSD544 (containing vaccinia sequences surrounding the site of the HA gene replaced with a polylinker region and translation termination codons in six reading frames) was digested with XhoI within the polylinker, filled in with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and treated with alkaline phosphatase. SP126 (containing the vaccinia H6 promoter) was digested with HindIII, treated with Klenow and the H6 promoter isolated by digestion with SmaI. Ligation of the H6 promoter fragment to pSD544 generated SPHA-H6 which contained the H6 promoter in the polylinker region (in the direction of HA transcription).

Plasmid pMAW037 was used in standard in vitro recombination experiments (Piccini et al., 1987) with NYVAC (vP866) as the rescue virus. FIG. 20 presents the nucleotide sequence of the H6/MAGE-1 expression cassette and flanking regions within pMAW037 (SEQ ID NO:110). The H6 promoter starts at position 52. The MAGE-1 start codon is at position 179, and the MAGE-1 stop codon is at position 1009. Positions 1 through 51 and positions 1010 through 1084 flank the H6/MAGE-1 expression cassette.

Example 17 Generation of an ALVAC- and NYVAC-Based CEA Recombinant Viruses

The CEA gene was provided in plasmid pGEM.CEA, which contains the CEA coding sequence (2,109 nucleotides) as well as 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (Dr. J. Schlom, NCI-NIH). The 5′ end of the CEA construct was modified to remove the 5′ untranslated sequences and place the vaccinia H6 promotor before the ATG initiation codon of CEA. This was accomplished by PCR with the oligonucleotide pair CEA1 (SEQ ID NO:111) (5′-TATCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGAGTCTCCCTCG-3′) and CEA2 (SEQ ID NO:112) (5′-TGCTAGATCTTTATCTCTCGACCACTGTATG-3′) and plasmid PGEM.CEA as template. The resulting fragment links the 3′ 30 nucleotides of the H6 promotor to the CEA initiation codon, extends 22 nucleotides past the ApaI site at position 278 of the CEA coding sequence, and terminates with a BglII site introduced by the PCR primer CEA2 (SEQ ID NO:114). Prior to cloning, this fragment was digested with EcoRV (site located within the 3′ end of the H6 promotor) and BglII. The digested 5′ PCR fragment was then included in a 3-way ligation with two fragments derived from plasmid pI4L.H6: an NcoI/BglII vector fragment and an NcoI/EcoRV fragment which contained the 5′ portion of the H6 promotor. The resulting plasmid, designated pI4L.H6.CEA-5′, contains the full length H6 promotor linked to a 5′ CEA fragment extending from the ATG codon through the APaI site at position 278.

The 3′ end of CEA was modified to remove the 3′ untranslated region of CEA and place a vaccinia early transcription termination signal (T₅NT) followed by a series of restriction sites (XhoI, XbaI, SmaI, HindIII) after the TAG termination codon. This was accomplished by PCR with the oligonucleotide pair CEA3 (SEQ ID NO:113) (5′-CTATGAGTGTGGAATCCAGAACG-3′) and CEA4 (SEQ ID NO:114) (5′-TCAGAAGCTTCCCGGGTCTAGACTCGAGATAAAAACTATATCAGAGCAACC-3′) and plasmid pGEM.CEA as template. The resulting fragment extends from a position 32 nucleotides 5′ of the CEA HindII site located at position 1203 through the 3′ end of the coding sequence. This fragment was cloned as a HindII/HindIII fragment into a HindII/HindIII-digested pGEM.CEA vector fragment. The resulting plasmid, designated pGEM.CEA-3′, contains the entire CEA gene as found in pGEM.CEA with a 3′ end modified to remove the 3′ untranslated region and replace it with a T₅NT signal followed by XhoI, XbaI, SmaI, and HindIII restriction sites.

To generate an ALVAC C3 donor plasmid containing CEA, a BamHI/ApaI fragment containing the H6 promotor linked to the 5′ end of CEA was obtained from pI4L.H6.CEA-5′, an ApaI/XhoI fragment containing the remainder of the CEA coding sequence (plus T₅NT) was obtained from pGEM.CEA-3′, and a BamHI/XhoI C3 vector fragment was derived from plasmid p126. C3. After subsequent 3-way ligation, the plasmid pH6.CEA.C3 was obtained. This plasmid contains the full length H6/CEA expression cassette inserted between left and right flanking arms of ALVAC DNA which direct insertion to the C3 sites on the ALVAC genome. Transcription of CEA is oriented from right to left.

Plasmid p126.C3, an ALVAC C3 donor plasmid, was derived as follows. This plasmid contains an insert consisting of cDNA derived from the Plasmodium falciparum SERA gene (Li et al., 1989; Bzik et al., 1989; Knapp et al., 1989; NOTE: SERA is also known as SERP I and p126) under the control of the entomopox virus 42K early promotor.

A. Methodology for Generating p126.C3

1. Construction of P. falciparum FCR3 Strain Blood Stage cDNA Library

Total RNA from human erythrocytes infected with P. falciparum FCR3 strain was provided by Dr. P. Delplace (INSERM-U42). Poly-A⁺ RNA was isolated from this sample by use of oligo(dT) cellulose (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) as described by Aviv and Leder (1972) and modified by Kingston (1987). Briefly, total RNA was mixed with oligo(dT) cellulose in Binding buffer (0.5M NaCl, 0.01M Tris-Cl, pH 7.5) and incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. Poly-A⁺ RNA/oligo(dT) cellulose complexes were pelleted by centrifugation and washed 3 times with Binding buffer. Purified poly-A⁺ RNA was eluted from the oligo(dT) cellulose in Elution buffer (0.01M Tris-Cl, pH 7.5). A second elution with DEPC-treated dH₂O was performed, the eluates were pooled, and the poly-A⁺ RNA recovered by ethanol precipitation.

The purified poly-A⁺ RNA was used as a template for the synthesis of first strand cDNA by reverse transcriptase in a reaction primed with oligo(dT) (Watson and Jackson, 1985; Klickstein and Neve, 1987). For this reaction, 12 ug poly-⁺ RNA was incubated with 105 units AMV reverse transcriptase (Life Sciences, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.) in 100 mM Tris-Cl pH 8.3, 30 mM KCl, 6 mM MgCl₂, 25 mM DTT, 80 units RNasin, 1 mM each dNTP, and 24 ug/ml oligo(dT)₁₂₋₁₈ as primer for 2 hours at 42° C. After organic extractions, double stranded cDNA was obtained by use of DNA polymerase I and RNase H with first strand cDNA as template (Watson and Jackson, 1985: Klickstein and Neve, 1987). The first strand cDNA was incubated with 25 units DNA polymerase I and 1 unit RNase H in 20 mM Tris-Cl pH 6, 5 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM (NH₄)₂SO₄, 100 mM KCl, 500 ug/ml BSA, 25 mM DTT, and 0.1 mM each dNTP at 12° C. for one hour followed by one hour at room temperature to synthesize second strand cDNA. The double stranded cDNA was recovered by organic extractions and ethanol precipitation.

The double-stranded blood stage cDNA was then sequentially treated with T4 DNA polymerase to create blunt ends and EcoRI methylase to protect internal EcoRI sites. EcoRI linkers were then added followed by digestion with EcoRI and size selection on a 5-25% sucrose gradient. Fractions containing long cDNAs (1-10 Kb) were pooled and ligated into EcoRI cleaved Lambda ZAPII vector (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). The resulting phage were packaged and used to infect the XL-1 Blue E. coli strain (Stratagene). The phage were then harvested from these cells and amplified by one additional cycle of infection of XL-1 Blue to produce a high titer FCR3 strain blood stage cDNA library.

2. Screen of cDNA Library for SERA cDNA Clones

The FCR3 strain cDNA library was screened by plaque hybridization with ³²P end-labelled oligonucleotides derived from published sequences of SERA to detect cDNA. The cDNA library was plaqued on lawns of XL-1 Blue (Stratagene) in 150 mm dishes at a density of 100,000 plaques per dish. Plaques were transferred to nitrocellulose filters which were then soaked in 1.5M NaCl/0.5M NaOH for 2 minutes, 1.5M NaCl/0.5M Tris-Cl pH 8 for 5 minutes, 0.2M Tris-Cl pH 7.5/2×SSC for one minute, and baked for 2 hours in an 80° C. vacuum oven. Filters were prehybridized in 6×SSC, 5×Denhardts, 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 500 ug/ml salmon sperm DNA for two hours at 42° C. Hybridizations were performed in 0.4% SDS, 6×SSC, 20 mM NaH₂PO₄, 500 ug/ml salmon sperm DNA for 18 hours at 42° C. after the addition ³²P-labelled oligonucleotide. After hybridization, filters were rinsed 3 times with 6×SSC, 0.1% SDS, washed for 10 minutes at room temperature, and washed for 5 minutes at 58° C. Filters were then exposed to X-ray film at −70° C.

Plaques hybridizing with the oligonucleotide probe were cored from plates and resuspended in SM buffer (100 mM NaCl, 8 mM MgSO₄, 50 mM Tris-Cl pH 7.5, 0.01% gelatin) containing 4% chloroform. Dilutions of such phage stocks were used to infect XL-1 Blue, plaques were transferred to nitrocellulose, and the filters were hybridized with ³²P-labelled oligonucleotides. Well isolated positive plaques were selected and subjected to two additional rounds of purification as just described.

3. Isolation of SERA cDNA-containing Plasmids from Positive Phage Clones

SERA cDNAs in the pBluescript plasmid vector (Stratagene) were obtained by an in vivo excision protocol developed for use with the lambda ZAPII vector (Stratagene). Briefly, purified recombinant lambda phage stocks were incubated with XL-1 Blue cells and R408 filamentous helper phage for 15 minutes at 37° C. After the addition of 2×YT media (1% NaCl, 1% yeast extract, 1.6% Bacto-tryptone), incubation was continued for 3 hours at 37° C. followed by 20 minutes at 70° C. After centrifugation, filamentous phage particles containing pBluescript phagemid (with cDNA insert) were recovered in the supernatant. Dilutions of the recovered filamentous phage stock were mixed with XL-1 Blue and plated to obtain colonies containing pBluescript plasmids with SERA cDNA inserts.

4. Generation of Malaria cDNA by PCR

By use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the 5′ portion of the coding sequence of SERA was amplified with specific oligonucleotide primers and first strand cDNA as template (Saiki et al. 1988, Frohman et al. 1988). SERA-specific first strand cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcriptase using the reaction conditions described above and specific oligonucleotides as primers. RNA was subsequently eliminated by treatment with RNase A prior to PCR. The GeneAmp DNA amplification kit (Perkin Elmer Cetus, Norwalk, Conn..) was used for PCR. Briefly, first strand cDNA in 50 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris-Cl pH 8.3, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, 0.01% gelatin was mixed with 200 uM each dNTP, 1 uM of each primer, and 2.5 units Taq polymerase. Reactions were processed in a Thermal Cycler (Perkin Elmer Cetus) with 1 cycle of denaturation, annealing, and extension at 94° C. for 2 minutes, 43° C. for 3 minutes, and 72° C. for 40 minutes; 40 cycles at 94° C. for 1 minute, 43° C. for 2 minutes, and 72° C. for 4 minutes followed by a final extension at 72° C. for 20 minutes.

The inclusion of restriction sites in primers used for PCR allowed the cloning of amplified SERA cDNA into plasmid vectors. Clones containing cDNAs derived from two independent PCRs were obtained for each SERA cDNA that was amplified in order to control for Taq polymerase errors.

B. Results

1. Isolation, Cloning and Characterization of SERA cDNA

We have isolated overlapping cDNA clones spanning the SERA coding sequence from the FCR3 strain of P. falciparum. The p126.6 cDNA, which extends from the EcoRI site at position 1892 (numbering based on SERP I gene of FCBR strain; Knapp et al., 1989) through the 3′ end of the coding sequence, was isolated from the blood stage cDNA Lambda ZAPII cDNA library by hybridization to a SERA-specific oligonucleotide JAT2 (SEQ ID NO:115) (5′-GTCTCAGAACGTGTTCATGT-3′), which is derived from the 3′ end of the SERA coding sequence (Bzik et al., 1989; Knapp et al., 1989). Clones derived from the 5′ end of the SERA coding sequence were obtained by PCR with primers JAT15 (SEQ ID NO:116) (5′-CACGGATCCATGAAGTCATATATTTCCTT-3′) and JAT16 (SEQ ID NO:117) (5′-GTGAAGCTTAATCCATAATCTTCAATAATT-3′) and SERA first strand cDNA template (obtained with oligonucleotide primer JAT17 (SEQ ID NO:118) (5′-GTGAAGCTTTTATACATAACAGAAATAACA-3′)) and were cloned into pUC19 (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). These 1923 bp cDNAs extend from the initiation codon to a point 31 bp 3′ of the internal EcoRI site (position 1892). One such cDNA, p126.8, was found by DNA sequence analysis to contain a Taq polymerase error at nucleotide 1357. This error, an A to G substitution, resides within the 315 bp KpnI/NdeI restriction fragment. A second SERA 5′ cDNA, p126.9, has no mutations within this KpnI/NdeI fragment. An unmutated 5′ SERA cDNA was generated by replacing the 315 bp KpnI/NdeI fragment in p126.8 with the analogous fragment from p126.9 to generate p126.14. Full length SERA cDNA was generated by ligating the p126.14 5′ cDNA as an XmaI/EcoRI fragment into a partial EcoRI/XmaI digested p126.6 vector fragment to generate p126.15.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the p126.15 SERA cDNA insert was determined and is shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B (SEQ ID NO:119) along with the predicted amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:120). This cDNA contains a 2955 bp open reading frame encoding 984 amino acids that is identical to the SERA allele II gene in the FCR3 strain and the FCBR SERP I gene (Li et al., 1989, Knapp et al., 1989).

The SERA cDNA was isolated from p126.15 as a 3 Kb XmaI/EcoRV fragment and the XmaI end ligated into an XmaI/BglII digested pCOPCS-5H vector fragment. DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment was used to fill in the pCOPCS-5H BglII site which was subsequently ligated to the EcoRV end to generate p126.16. In this plasmid, SERA is under the control of the early/late vaccinia H6 promotor.

2. Modification of SERA cDNA

The 3′ end of the SERA cDNA was modified to place a vaccinia early transcription termination signal (T₅NT; Yuen and Moss, 1987) and a series of restriction sites (XhoI, SmaI, SacI) immediately after the TAA termination codon. This was accomplished by PCR with oligonucleotides JAT51 (SEQ ID NO:121) (5′-TAGAATCTGCAGGAACTTCAA-3′), JAT52 (SEQ ID NO:122) (5′-CTACACGAGCTCCCGGGCTCGAGATAAAAATTATACATAACAGAAATAACATTC-3′), and plasmid p126.16 as template. The resulting ˜300 bp amplified fragment was cloned as a PstI/SacI fragment into p126.16 digested with PstI and SacI to generate p126.17.

The 5′ end of the SERA cDNA in p126.17 was modified to place several restriction sites (HindIII, SmaI, BamHI) and the 42K entomopox promotor before the ATG initiation codon. This was accomplished by PCR with oligonucleotides JAT53 (SEQ ID NO:123) (5′-CTAGAGAAGCTTCCCGGGATCCTCAAAATTGAAAATATATAATTACAATATAAAATGAAGTCATATATTTCCTTGT-3′), JAT54 (SEQ ID NO:124) (5′-ACTTCCGGGTTGACTTGCT-3′), and plasmid p126.16 as template. The resulting 250 bp amplified fragment was cloned as a HindIII/HindII fragment into p126.17 digested with HindIII and HindII to generate p126.18. This plasmid contains a cassette consisting of the SERA cDNA controlled by the 42K entomopox promotor, with a vaccinia early transcription termination signal, and flanked by restriction sites at the 5′ (HindIII, SmaI, BamHI) and 3′ (XhoI, SmaI, SacI) ends.

The 42K promotor/SERA cassette was isolated from p126.18 as a BamHI/XhoI fragment and cloned into a BamHI/XhoI digested pSD553 vector fragment. The resulting plasmid is designated p126.ATI.

3. Generation of p126.C3

The 42K/SERA expression cassette was isolated from p126.ATI as a BamHI/XhoI fragment and cloned into a BamHI/XhoI-digested VQCP3L vector fragment. The resulting plasmid, designated p126.C3, is an ALVAC C3 donor plasmid.

4. Derivation of pSD553

The pSD553 vaccinia donor plasmid was used for the generation of p126.ATI. It contains the vaccinia K1L host range gene (Gillard et al., 1986) within flanking Copenhagen vaccinia arms, replacing the ATI region (orfs A25L, A26L; Goebel et al., 1990a,b). pSD553 was constructed as follows.

Left and right vaccinia flanking arms were constructed by PCR using pSD414, a pUC8-based clone of vaccinia SalI B (Goebel et al., 1990a,b) as template. The left arm was synthesized using synthetic deoxyoligonucleotides MPSYN267 (SEQ ID NO:85) (5′-GGGCTGAAGCTTGCTGGCCGCTCATTAGACAAGCGAATGAGGGAC-3′) and MPSYN268 (SEQ ID NO:86) (5′-AGA TCT CCC GGG CTC GAG TAA TTA ATT AAT TTT TAT TAC ACC AGA AAA GAC GGC TTG AGA TC-3′) as primers. The right arm was synthesized using synthetic deoxyoligonucleotides MPSYN269 (SEQ ID NO:87) (5′-TAA TTA CTC GAG CCC GGG AGA TCT AAT TTA ATT TAA TTT ATA TAA CTC ATT TTT TGA ATA TAC T-3′) and MPSYN270 (SEQ ID NO:88) (5′-TAT CTC GAA TTC CCG CGG CTT TAA ATG GAC GGA ACT CTT TTC CCC-3′) as primers. The two PCR-derived DNA fragments containing the left and right arms were combined in a further PCR reaction. The resulting product was cut with EcoRI/HindIII and a 0.9 kb fragment isolated. The 0.9 kb fragment was ligated with pUC8 cut with EcoRI/HindIII, resulting in plasmid pSD541. The polylinker region located at the vaccinia deletion locus was expanded as follows. pSD541 was cut with BglII/XhoI and ligated with annealed complementary synthetic deoxyoligonucleotides MPSYN333 (SEQ ID NO:125) (5′-GAT CTT TTG TTA ACA AAA ACT AAT CAG CTA TCG CGA ATC GAT TCC CGG GGG ATC CGG TAC CC-3′)/MPSYN334 (SEQ ID NO:126) (5′-TCG AGG GTA CCG GAT CCC CCG GGA ATC GAT TCG CGA TAG CTG ATT AGT TTT TGT TAA CAA AA-3′) generating plasmid pSD552. The K1L host range gene was isolated as a 1 kb BglII(partial)/HpaI fragment from plasmid pSD452 (Perkus et al., 1990). pSD552 was cut with BglII/HpaI and ligated with the K1L containing fragment, generating pSD553.

5. Derivation of VQCP3L

The VQCP3L ALVAC donor plasmid was used for the generation of p126.C3 and was constructed as follows. Insertion plasmid VQCP3L was derived as follows. An 8.5 kb canarypox BglII fragment was cloned in the BamHI site of pBS-SK plasmid vector to form pWW5. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a 7351 bp subgenomic fragment from ALVAC containing the C3 insertion site is presented in FIGS. 14A to 14C (SEQ ID NO:127). The C3 ORF is located between nucleotides 1458 to 2897. In order to construct a donor plasmid for insertion of foreign genes into the C3 locus with the complete excision of the C3 open reading frame, PCR primers were used to amplify the 5′ and 3′ sequences relative to C3. Primers for the 5′ sequence were RG277 (SEQ ID NO:128) (5′-CAGTTGGTACCACTGGTATTTTATTTCAG-3′) and RG278 (SEQ ID NO:129) (5′-TATCTGAATTCCTGCAGCCCGGGTTTTTATAGCTAATTAGTCAAATGTGAGTTAATATTAG-3′). Primers for the 3′ sequences were RG279 (SEQ ID NO:130) (5′TCGCTGAATTCGATATCAAGCTTATCGATTTTTATGACTAGTTAATCAAATAAAAAGCATACAAGC-3′) and RG280 (SEQ ID NO:131) (5′-TTATCGAGCTCTGTAACATCAGTATCTAAC-3′). The primers were designed to include a multiple cloning site flanked by vaccinia transcriptional and translational termination signals. Also included at the 5′-end and 3′-end of the left arm and right arm were appropriate restriction sites (ASP718 and EcoRI for left arm and EcoRI and SacI for right arm) which enabled the two arms to ligate into Asp718/SacI digested pBS-SK plasmid vector. The resultant plasmid was designated as pC3I. A 908 bp fragment of canarypox DNA, immediately upstream of the C3 locus was obtained by digestion of plasmid pWW5 with NsiI and SspI. A 604 bp fragment of canarypox and DNA was derived by PCR using plasmid pWW5 as template and oligonucleotides CP16 (SEQ ID NO:132) (5′-TCCGGTACCGCGGCCGCAGATATTTGTTAGCTTCTGC-3′) and CP17 (SEQ ID NO:133) (5′-TCGCTCGAGTAGGATACCTACCTACTACCTACG-3′). The 604 bp fragment was digested with Asp718 and XhoI (sites present at the 5′ ends of oligonucleotides CP16 and CP17, respectively) and cloned into Asp718-XhoI digested and alkaline phosphatase treated IBI25 (International Biotechnologies, Inc., New Haven, Conn.) generating plasmid SPC3LA. SPC3LA was digested within IBI25 with EcoRV and within canarypox DNA with NsiI, and ligated to the 908 bp NsiI-SspI fragment generating SPCPLAX which contains 1444 bp of canarypox DNA upstream of the C3 locus. A 2178 bp BglII-StyI fragment of canarypox DNA was isolated from plasmids pXX4 (which contains a 6.5 kb NsiI fragment of canarypox DNA cloned into the PstI site of pBS-SK. A 279 bp fragment of canarypox DNA was isolated by PCR using plasmid pXX4 as template and oligonucleotides CP19 (SEQ ID NO:134) (5′-TCGCTCGAGCTTTCTTGACAATAACATAG-3′) and CP20 (SEQ ID NO:135) (5′-TAGGAGCTCTTTATACTACTGGGTTACAAC-3′). The 279 bp fragment was digested with XhoI and SacI (sites present at the 5′ ends of oligonucleotides CP19 and CP20, respectively) and cloned into SacI-XhoI digested and alkaline phosphatase treated IBI25 generating plasmid SPC3RA. To add additional unique sites to the polylinker, pC3I was digested within the polylinker region with EcoRI and ClaI, treated with alkaline phosphatase and ligated to kinased and annealed oligonucleotides CP12 (SEQ ID NO:136) (5′-AATTCCTCGAGGGATCC-3′) and CP13 (SEQ ID NO:137) (5′-CGGGATCCCTCGAGG-3′) (containing an EcoRI sticky end, XhoI site, BamHI site and a sticky end compatible with ClaI) generating plasmid SPCP3S. SPCP3S was digested within the canarypox sequences downstream of the C3 locus with StyI and SacI (pBS-SK) and ligated to a 261 bp BglII-SacI fragment from SPC3RA and the 2178 bp BglII-StyI fragment from pXX4 generating plasmid CPRAL containing 2572 bp of canarypox DNA downstream of the C3 locus. SPCP3S was digested within the canarypox sequences upstream of the C3 locus with Asp718 (in PBS-SK) and AccI and ligated to a 1436 bp Asp718-AccI fragment from SPCPLAX generating plasmid CPLAL containing 1457 bp of canarypox DNA upstream of the C3 locus. The derived plasmid was designated as SPCP3L. VQCP3L was derived from pSPCP3L by digestion with XmaI, phosphatase treating the linearized plasmid, and ligation to annealed, kinased oligonucleotides CP23 (SEQ ID NO:138) (5′-CCGGTTAATTAATTAGTTATTAGACAAGGTGAAAACGAAACTATTTGTAGCTTAATTAATTAGGTCACC-3′) and CP24 (SEQ ID NO:139) (5′-CCGGGGTCGACCTAATTAATTAAGCTACAAATAGTTTCGTTTTCACCTTGTCTAATAACTAATTAATTAA-3′).

DNA sequence analysis of pH6.CEA.C3 revealed a one nucleotide deletion (T) at position 1203 of the CEA coding sequence (eliminating a HindII site) which occurred during a previous cloning step. This deletion was corrected by replacing a 1047 nucleotide MscI fragment (extending from position 501 to 1548) from pH6.CEA.C3 with the analogous, unmutated MscI fragment from pGEM.CEA. The resulting plasmid was designated pH6.CEA.C3.2.

CEA has been inserted into ALVAC by recombination between NotI-linearized pH6.CEA.C3.2 donor plasmid and ALVAC rescuing virus. Recombinants containing CEA have been identified by plaque hybridization with a DNA probe derived from the CEA coding sequence (an NruI/XhoI fragment containing the full length CEA coding sequence).

A NruI/XhoI fragment containing the 3′ end of the H6 promotor linked to the full length CEA coding sequence was isolated from pH6.CEA.C3.2. This fragment was ligated to an NruI/XhoI-digested pSPHA.H6 vector fragment, which was derived from the pSD544 HA donor plasmid by the insertion of a fragment containing the H6 promotor. The resulting plasmid was designated pH6.CEA.HA and contains the CEA coding sequence linked to the regenerated H6 promotor. The pH6.CEA.HA donor plasmid directs insertion of the H6/CEA expression cassette to the HA site of NYVAC. Transcription of CEA is oriented from left to right.

Plasmid pSD544 was derived as follows. pSD456 is a subclone of Copenhagen vaccinia DNA containing the HA gene (A56R; Goebel et al., 1990a,b) and surrounding regions. pSD456 was used as template in polymerase chain reactions for synthesis of left and right vaccinia arms flanking the A56R ORF. The left arm was synthesized using synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides MPSYN279 (SEQ ID NO:140) (5′ CCCCCCGAATTCGTCGACGATTGTTCATGATGGCAAGAT 3′) and MPSYN280 (SEQ ID NO:141) (5′-CCCGGGGGATCCCTCGAGGGTACCAAGCTTAATTAATTAAATATTAGTATAAAAAGTGATTTATTTTT-3′) as primers. The right arm was synthesized using MPSYN281 (SEQ ID NO:142) (5′-AAGCTTGGTACCCTCGAGGGATCCCCCGGGTAGCTAGCTAATTTTTCTTTTACGTATTATATATGTAATAAACGTTC-3′) and MPSYN312 (SEQ ID NO:143) (5′-TTTTTTCTGCAGGTAAGTATTTTTAAAACTTCTAACACC-3′) as primers. Gel-purified PCR fragments for the left and right arms were combined in a further PCR reaction. The resulting product was cut with EcoRI/HindIII. The resulting 0.9 kb fragment was gel-purified and ligated into pUC8 cut with EcoRI/HindIII, resulting in plasmid pSD544. FIGS. 22 and 23 present the nucleotide sequences of the H6/CEA expression cassettes and flanking regions in plasmids pH6.CEA.C3.2 and pH6.CEA.HA, respectively (SEQ ID NO:144/145, respectively). In FIG. 22, the H6 promoter begins at position 57. The CEA start codon begins at position 181 and the stop codon ends at position 2289. Positions 1 through 58 and 2290 through 2434 flank the H6/CEA expression cassette. In FIG. 23, the H6 promotor begins at position 60. The CEA start codon begins at position 184 and the stop codon ends at position 2292. Positions 1 through 59 and 2293 through 2349 flank the H6/CEA expression cassette.

Example 18 Murine IL-2 into ALVAC and NYVAC

Insertion of murine IL-2 into ALVAC. Plasmid pmut-1 (ATCC No. 37553) contains the murine IL-2 gene from American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. The IL-2 gene was placed under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter (Perkus et al., 1989) and the IL-2 3′ noncoding end was removed in the following manner.

Template pRW825, containing the H6 promoter and a nonpertinent gene, was used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers MM104 (SEQ ID NO:146) 5′ ATCATCGGATCCCTGCAGCCCGGGTTAATTAATTAGTGATAC 3′ and MM105 (SEQ ID NO:147) 5′ GAGCTGCATGCTGTACATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGA 3′. The 5′ end of MM104 contains BamHI, PstI and SmaI sites followed by a sequence which primes from the H6 promoter 5′ end toward the 3′end. The 5′ end of MM105 overlaps the IL-2 5′ end and MM105 primes from the H6 promoter 3′ end toward the 5′ end. The resultant 228 base pair PCR derived fragment contains the H6 promoted 5′ most base pairs of IL-2.

Template plasmid pmut-1 was used in a second PCR with primers MM106 (SEQ ID NO:148) 5′ CGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGTACAGCATGCAGCTG 3′ and MM107 (SEQ ID NO:149) 5′ GAGGAGGAATTCCCCGGGTTATTGAGGGCTTGTTGAGA 3′. The 5′ end of MM106 overlaps the 3′ end of the H6 promoter and primes from the IL-2 5′ end toward the 3′ end. The 5′ end of MM107 contains EcoRI and SmaI sites followed by a sequence which primes from the IL-2 3′ end toward the 5′ end. The resultant 546 base pair PCR derived fragment was pooled with the above 228 base pair PCR product and primed with MM104 and MM107. The resultant 739 base pair PCR derived fragment, containing the H6 promoted IL-2 gene, was digested with BamHI and EcoRI, generating a 725 base pair fragment, for insertion between the BamHI and EcoRI sites of pBS-SK (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.), yielding pMM151.

The 755 base pair pMM151 BamHI-XhoI fragment containing the H6 promoted IL-2 gene was inserted between the BamHI and XhoI sites of the C3 vector pCP3LSA-2. The resultant plasmid pMM153, contains the H6 promoted IL-2 gene in the C3 locus.

The nucleotide sequence of murine IL-2 from the translation initiation codon through the stop codon is given in FIG. 24 (SEQ ID NO:150).

C3 vector plasmid pCP3LSA-2 was derived in the following manner. Plasmid SPCP3L (Example 17) was digested with NsiI and NotI and a 6433 bp fragment isolated and ligated to annealed oligonucleotides CP34 (SEQ ID NO:151) 5′ GGCCGCGTCGACATGCA 3′ and CP35 (SEQ ID NO:152) 5′ TGTCGACGC 3′, generating plasmid pCP3LSA-2.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM153 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP275, which contains the vaccinia H6 promoted murine IL-2 gene in the C3 locus.

Insertion of murine IL-2 into NYVAC. Plasmid pMM151, defined above, was digested with BamHI/XhoI and a 755 base pair fragment containing the H6 promoted IL-2 gene was isolated. This BamHI/XhoI fragment was inserted between the BamHI and XhoI sites of the NYVAC TK vector pSD542. The resultant plasmid pMM154, contains the H6 promoted IL-2 gene in the TK locus.

Plasmid pSD542 was derived in the following manner. To modify the polylinker region, TK vector plasmid pSD513 (Example 7) was cut with PstI/BamHI and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides MPSYN288 (SEQ ID NO:153) 5′ GGTCGACGGATCCT 3′ and MPSYN289 (SEQ ID NO:154) 5′ GATCAGGATCCGTCGACCTGCA 3′, resulting in plasmid pSD542.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM154 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1239, which contains the H6 promoted murine IL-2 gene in the TK locus.

Expression of murine IL-2 in ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants. ELISA assay. The level of expression of murine IL-2 produced by ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vCP275 and vP1239 was quantitated using an ELISA kit from Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. (InterTest-2X™ Mouse IL-2 ELISA Kit, Genzyme Corporation, Code # 2122-01). Duplicate dishes containing confluent monolayers of mouse L-929 cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were infected with recombinant virus vCP275 or vP1239 expressing murine IL-2 or infected with ALVAC or NYVAC parental virus. Following overnight incubation at 37° C., supernatants were harvested and assayed for expression of murine IL-2 using the InterTest-2X™ Mouse IL-2 ELISA Kit as specified by the manufacturer (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.). The InterTest-2X™ Mouse IL-2 ELISA Kit is a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay employing the multiple antibody sandwich principle. ELISA plates were read at 490 nm. Background from ALVAC or NYVAC samples was subtracted, and values from duplicate dishes were averaged. The quantity of murine IL-2 secreted is expressed as pg/ml, which is equivalent to pg/10⁶ cells (Table 23).

TABLE 23 Recombinant virus Murine IL-2 secreted vCP275 160 pg/ml vP1239 371 pg/ml

Example 19 Human IL-2 into ALVAC and NYVAC

Insertion of Human IL-2 into ALVAC. Plasmid pTCGF-11 (ATCC No. 39673) contains the human IL-2 gene from American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. The IL-2 gene was placed under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter (Perkus et al., 1989), two codons were corrected, and the IL-2 3′ noncoding end was removed in the following manner.

Template plasmid pRW825, containing the H6 promoter and a nonpertinent gene, was used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers MM104 (SEQ ID NO:146) 5′ ATCATCGGATCCCTGCAGCCCGGGTTAATTAATTAGTGATAC 3′ and MM109 (SEQ ID NO:155) 5′ GAGTTGCATCCTGTACATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGA 3′. The 5′ end of MM104 contains BamHI, PstI and SmaI sites followed by a sequence which primes from the vaccinia H6 promoter 5′ end toward the 3′ end. The 5′ end of MM109 overlaps the IL-2 5′ end, and MM105 primes from the H6 promoter 3′ end toward the 5′ end. The resultant 230 base pair PCR derived fragment contains the H6 promoted 5′ most base pairs of IL-2.

Template plasmid pTCGF-11 was used in a PCR with primers MM108 (SEQ ID NO:156) 5′ CGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGTACAGGATGCAACTC 3′ and MM112 (SEQ ID NO:157) 5′ TTGTAGCTGTGTTTTCTTTGTAGAACTTGAAGTAGGTGCACTGTTTGTGACAAGTGCAAGACTTAGTGCAATGCAAGAC 3′. The 5′ end of MM108 overlaps the 3′ end of the H6 promoter and primes from the IL-2 5′ end toward the 3′ end. MM112 primes from position 100, in the human IL-2 sequence (FIG. 25), toward the 5′ end. The resultant 118 base pair fragment contains the 3′ most base pairs of the H6 promoter and 5′ 100 bp of the IL-2 gene.

Plasmid pTCGF-11 from American Type Culture Collection was sequenced, and the sequence was compared with the published sequence (Clark, et al., 1984). Two mutations resulting in amino acid changes were discovered. Oligonucleotide primers MM111 (SEQ ID NO:158) 5′ TTCTACAAAGAAAACACAGCTACAACTGGAGCATTTACTTCTGGATTTACAGATGATTTTGAATGGAATTAATAATTAC 3′ and MM112 were used to correct these two base changes in pTCGF-11.

The corrected nucleotide sequence of human IL-2 from the translation initiation codon through the stop codon is given in FIG. 25 (SEQ ID NO:159).

Except for a silent G to T change in pTCGF-11 at position 114, the sequence in FIG. 25 is the same as the IL-2 sequence described in Clark, et al., 1984. The T at position 41 in the sequence in FIG. 25 is C in pTCGF-11, and the codon change is from leu to pro. The T at position 134 in the sequence in FIG. 25 is C in pTCGF-11, and the codon change is from leu to ser. The predicted amino acid sequences of other human, bovine, murine, ovine, and porcine IL-2 isolates were compared with the sequence in Clark, et al., 1984; the codons at positions 41 and 134 are both conserved as leu.

Template pTCGF-11 was used in a PCR with primers MM110 (SEQ ID NO:160) 5′ GAGGAGGAATTCCCCGGGTCAAGTCAGTGTTGAGATGA 3′ and MM111. The 5′ end of MM110 contains EcoRI and SmaI sites followed by a sequence which primes from the IL-2 3′ end toward the 5′ end. MM111 primes from position 75 toward the IL-2 3′end. The resultant 400 base pair PCR derived fragment was pooled with the above 230 and 118 base pair PCR products and primed with MM104 and MM110. The resultant 680 base pair PCR derived fragment, containing the vaccinia H6 promoted IL-2 gene, was digested with BamHI and EcoRI and inserted between the BamHI and EcoRI sites of pBS-SK (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.), yielding pRW956.

Plasmid pRW956 was digested with BamHI/XhoI and a 700 bp fragment containing the H6 promoted IL-2 gene was isolated. This fragment was inserted between the BamHI and XhoI sites of the C3 vector plasmid pCP3LSA-2 (Example 18). The resultant plasmid, pRW958, contains the H6 promoted IL-2 gene in the C3 locus.

Recombination between donor plasmid pRW958 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP277, which contains the H6 promoted human IL-2 gene in the C3 locus.

Insertion of Human IL-2 into NYVAC. Plasmid pRW956, defined above, was digested with BamHI/XhoI and a 700 base pair fragment was isolated. This fragment, containing the vaccinia H6 promoted human IL-2 gene, was inserted between the BamHI and XhoI sites of the NYVAC TK vector plasmid pSD542 (Example 18). The resultant plasmid, pRW957, contains the H6 promoted human IL-2 gene in the TK locus.

Recombination between donor plasmid pRW957 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1241, which contains the H6 promoted human IL-2 gene in the TK locus.

Expression of human IL-2 in ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants. ELISA assay. The level of expression of human IL-2 produced by ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vCP277 and vP1241 was quantitated using a Human Interleukin-2 ELISA kit from Collaborative Biomedical Products, Inc., Becton Dickinson, Bedford, Mass. (IL-ISA 2™ Cat. No. 30020). Duplicate dishes containing confluent monolayers of human HeLa cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were infected with recombinant virus vCP277 or vP1241 expressing human IL-2 or infected with ALVAC or NYVAC parental virus. Following overnight incubation at 37° C., supernatants were harvested and assayed for expression of human IL-2 using the IL-ISA 2™ Human Interleukin-2 ELISA kit as specified by the manufacturer (Collaborative Biomedical Products, Inc., Becton Dickinson, Bedford, Mass.). The IL-ISA 2™ Kit is a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay employing the multiple antibody sandwich principle. ELISA plates were read at 490 nm. Background from ALVAC or NYVAC samples was subtracted, and values from duplicate dishes were averaged. The IL-ISA 2™ KitIL-2 quantitates human IL-2 in Biological Response Modifiers Program (BRMP) units (Gerrard et al., 1993). The quantity of human IL-2 secreted is expressed as BRMP u/ml, which is equivalent to BRMP u/10⁶ cells (Table 24).

TABLE 24 Recombinant virus Human IL-2 secreted vCP277 850 BRMP U/ml vP1241 953 BRMP U/ml

Example 20 Murine IFNγ into ALVAC and NYVAC

Insertion of Murine IFNγ into ALVAC. Plasmid pms10 was obtained from ATCC (#63170). Plasmid pms10 contains cDNA encompassing the entire mouse IFNγ coding sequence with flanking region cloned into the PstI site of pBR322.

Plasmid pMPI3H contains the vaccinia I3L promoter (Perkus et al., 1985; Schmitt and Stunnenberg, 1988) in pUC8. Plasmid pMPI3H is designed for cleavage at a HpaI site within the promoter and at a site in the downstream polylinker region to allow for downstream addition of the 3′ end of the I3L promoter linked to a foreign gene.

Linkage of murine IFNγ gene with I3L promoter; Construction of pMPI3mIF. Murine IFNγ coding sequences with linkage to I3L promoter were synthesized by PCR using oligonucleotides MPSYN607 (SEQ ID NO:161) 5′ TAATCATGAACGCTACACACTGC 3′ and MPSYN608 (SEQ ID NO:162) 5′ CCGGATCCCTGCAGTTATTGGGACAATCTCTT 3′ as primers, and plasmid pms10 as template. The PCR product was cut with BamHI and a 510 bp fragment was isolated and ligated with vector plasmid pMPI3H cut with HpaI/BamHI. Following sequence verification, the resulting plasmid was designated pMPI3mIF.

Insertion of I3L/murine IFNγ cassette into the C3 locus; construction of pMPC3I3mIF. Plasmid pMPI3mIF was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with BamHI and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/murine IFNγ cassette was isolated. This fragment was ligated with vector plasmid pVQC3LSA-3 cut with SmaI/BamHI, resulting in insertion plasmid pMPC3I3mIF.

Nucleotide sequence of the I3L/murine IFNγ expression cassette is given in FIG. 26 (SEQ ID NO:163). The start codon for the murine IFNγ gene is at position 101, and the stop codon is at position 596.

Plasmid pVQC3LSA-3 was derived in the following manner. ALVAC C3 locus insertion plasmid VQCP3L (Example 17) was digested with NsiI and NotI and a 6503 bp fragment isolated and ligated to annealed oligonucleotides CP34 (SEQ ID NO:151) 5′ GGCCGCGTCGACATGCA 3′ and CP35 (SEQ ID NO:152) 5′ TGTCGACGC 3′, generating plasmid VQCP3LSA-3. (Note: Plasmid VQCP3LSA-3 is identical to plasmids VQCP3LSA-5 and VQCP3LSA, used in subsequent examples; see, e.g., Examples 24, 25, 26.)

Recombination between donor plasmid pMPC3I3mIF and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP271, which contains the I3L promoted murine IFNγ gene in the C3 locus.

Insertion of Murine IFNγ into NYVAC. Insertion of I3L/murine IFNã cassette into TK locus; construction of pMPTKI3mIF. Plasmid pMPI3mIF, defined above, was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with BamHI and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/murine IFNã cassette was isolated. This fragment was ligated with NYVAC TK vector plasmid pSD542 (Example 18) cut with SmaI/BamHI, resulting in insertion plasmid pMPTKI3mIF.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMPTKI3mIF and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1237, which contains the I3L promoted murine IFNγ gene in the TK locus.

Expression of murine IFNγ in ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants. ELISA assay. The level of expression of murine IFNγ produced by ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vCP271 and vP1237 was quantitated using an ELISA kit from Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. (InterTest-ã Kit, Genzyme Corporation, cat # 1557-00). Duplicate dishes containing confluent monolayers of mouse L-929 cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were infected with recombinant virus vCP271 or vP1237 expressing murine IFNγ or infected with ALVAC or NYVAC parental virus. Following overnight incubation at 37° C., supernatants were harvested and assayed for expression of murine IFNγ using the InterTest-ã Kit as specified by the manufacturer (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.). The InterTest-ã Kit is a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay employing the multiple antibody sandwich principle. ELISA plates were read at 490 nm. Background from ALVAC or NYVAC samples was subtracted, and values from duplicate dishes were averaged. The quantity of murine IFNγ secreted is expressed as nanograms/ml, which is equivalent to ng/10⁶ cells (Table 25).

TABLE 25 Recombinant virus Murine IFNγ secreted vCP271  972 ng/ml vP1237 3359 ng/ml

Biological assay. The biological activity of murine IFNγ expressed by ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants was quantitated using a standardized IFNγ bio-assay (Vogel et al., 1991). This assay quantitates IFN activity by titrating its ability to protect L-929 cells from VSV (vesicular stomatitis virus)-induced cytopathic effect (CPE).

Confluent monolayers of mouse L-929 cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were mock-infected or infected with NYVAC, vP1237, ALVAC, or vCP271 at an moi of 5. Dishes were inoculated in duplicate. Following the 1 hour adsorption period, 1 ml of fresh medium was added to each dish and they were incubated overnight at 37° C. The supernatants from both dishes were pooled, filtered through a 0.22 μm filter and tested for IFN activity as detailed below. Two-fold serial dilutions of supernatants were tested, beginning at undiluted for mock infected, NYVAC, and ALVAC infected dishes, or 1:100 and 1:1000 for vCP271 and vP1237 infected dishes.

In the IFN-γ bio-assay, 50 μl medium was added to all wells of a 96-well plate, followed by 50 μl of a serial dilution of a stock of commercial murine IFN-γ (Genzyme Corporation, MG-IFN, lot # B3649) or culture supernatant as described above. Next, 50 μl of L-929 cells (3×10⁴ cells) were added to each well, and plates were placed at 37° C. overnight. After 24 hours, cells were infected with 100 μl VSV (moi of 0.1). Plates were incubated at 37° C. overnight. After 24 hours, CPE was assessed. The well which gave the same CPE as VSV in the absence of interferon was defined as having 1 unit/ml interferon. This method coincided well with the interferon standard.

The interferon concentration in the supernatants is determined as the reciprocal of the dilution which gives similar CPE to the standard at 1 unit/ml interferon. For mock-infected, NYVAC and ALVAC infected cells, less than 20 units/ml interferon is produced. For vP1237, 14,000 units/ml IFN-γ is produced, and for vCP271, 3,600 units/ml IFN-γ is produced. vP1237 produced four-fold greater levels of IFN-γ than vCP271, confirming results seen above by the ELISA assay. The lack of protection conferred by supernatants from mock-infected or parental virus-infected cells shows that the protective activity in supernatants from vP1237- and vCP271-infected cells is IFN-γ. This was confirmed by a neutralization assay which showed that antisera to IFN-γ (Genzyme Corporation monoclonal hamster anti-murine IFN-γ, 1222-00, lot #B3847) but not antisera to murine IFN-α/β (Lee Biomolecular Research, INC., San Diego, Calif., No. 25301, lot. #89011) or murine IFN-β (Lee Biomolecular Research, Inc., No. 25101, lot. #87065) was capable of neutralizing the protective activity produced by these recombinants.

Example 21 Human IFNγ into ALVAC and NYVAC

Insertion of Human IFNγ into ALVAC. Plasmid p52 was obtained from ATCC (No. 65949). Plasmid p52 contains cDNA encoding the carboxy terminal 2/3 of the human IFNã coding sequence with untranslated 3′ region cloned into the PstI site of pBR322.

Linkage of human IFNγ gene with I3L promoter; Construction of pMPI3hIF

(A) The missing region of the human IFNγ gene was synthesized using long, overlapping PCR primers, MPSYN615 (SEQ ID NO:164) 5′ TAATCATGAAATATACAAGTTATATCTTGGCTTTTCAGCTCTGCATCGTTTTGGGTTCTCTTGGCTGTTACTGCCAGGACCCATATGTAAAAGAAGC 3′ and MPSYN616 (SEQ ID NO:165) 5′ TTCTTCAAAATGCCTAAGAAAAGAGTTCCATTATCCGCTACATCTGAATGACCTGCATTAAAATATTTCTTAAGGTTTTCTGCTTCTTTTACATATGGGTCCTGGC 3′ with no extraneous template. The end of MPSYN615 is designed for cloning into the HpaI site of pMPI3H (Example 20). There are 25 bp of overlap between MPSYN615/MPSYN616. A 179 bp PCR product was isolated.

(B) The remainder of human IFNγ gene was synthesized using PCR primers MPSYN617 (SEQ ID NO:166) 5′ TCTTTTCTTAGGCATTTTGAAGAATTGGAAAGAGGAGAGTGACAG 3′ and MPSYN618 (SEQ ID NO:167) 5′ CCCGGATCCCTGCAGTTACTGGGATGCTCTTCGA 3′ with plasmid p52 as template. MPSYN617 has 25 bp overlap with missing region; MPSYN618 is designed for cloning into the downstream BamHI site of pMP13H. A ca. 350 bp PCR fragment was isolated.

(A+B) Combination PCR was performed using isolated fragments from (A) and (B), above, and external primers MPSYN615 and MPSYN618. The PCR product was digested with BamHI, and a ca. 510 bp fragment was isolated. This fragment was cloned into pMPI3H cut with HpaI/BamHI.

Following sequence confirmation, the resulting plasmid was designated pMPI3hIF. pMPI3hIF contains the human IFNγ gene under the control of the I3L promoter.

Insertion of I3L/human IFNγ cassette into C3 locus; construction of pMPC3I3hIF. Plasmid pMPI3hIF was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with BamHI and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/human IFNγ cassette was isolated. This fragment was ligated with ALVAC C3 vector plasmid pVQC3LSA-3 (Example 20) cut with SmaI/BamHI, resulting in ALVAC insertion plasmid pMPC3I3hIF.

Nucleotide sequence of the I3L/human IFNγ expression cassette is given in FIG. 27 (SEQ ID NO:168). The start codon for the human IFNγ gene is at position 101, and the stop codon is at position 599.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMPC3I3hIF and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP278, which contains the I3L promoted human IFNγ gene in the C3 locus.

Insertion of Human IFNγ into NYVAC. Insertion of I3L/human IFNγ cassette into TK locus; construction of pMPTKI3hIF. Plasmid pMPI3hIF, described above, was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with BamHI and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/human IFNγ cassette was isolated. This fragment was ligated with NYVAC TK vector plasmid pSD542 (Example 18) cut with SmaI/BamHI, resulting in NYVAC insertion plasmid pMPTKI3hIF.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMPTKI3hIF and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1244, which contains the vaccinia I3L promoted human IFNγ gene in the TK locus.

Expression of Human IFNγ in ALVAC and NYVAC Based Recombinants ELISA Assay

The level of expression of human IFNγ produced by ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vCP278 and vP1244 was quantitated using a human Interferon γ ELISA kit from Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. (InterTest-γ™ Kit, Genzyme Corporation, cat # 1556-00). Duplicate dishes containing confluent monolayers of human HeLa cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were infected with recombinant virus vCP278 or vP1244 expressing human IFNγ or infected with ALVAC or NYVAC parental virus. Following overnight incubation at 37° C., supernatants were harvested and assayed for expression of human IFNγ using the InterTest-γ Kit as specified by the manufacturer (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.). The InterTest-γ Kit is a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay employing the multiple antibody sandwich principle. ELISA plates were read at 490 nm. Background from ALVAC or NYVAC samples was subtracted, and values from duplicate dishes were averaged. The quantity of human IFNγ secreted is expressed as nanograms/ml, which is equivalent to ng/10⁶ cells (Table 26).

TABLE 26 Recombinant virus Human IFNγ secreted vCP278  9 ng/ml vP1244 15 ng/ml

Example 22 Murine IL-2 Plus IFNγ into ALVAC and NYVAC

Insertion of Murine IFNγ into C6 locus of ALVAC; addition to ALVAC-murine IL-2 recombinant virus. Derivation of C6 insertion vector. ALVAC C6 insertion vector pC6L was derived as follows. A 3.0 kb canarypox HindIII fragment containing the entire C6 ORF was cloned into the HindIII site of pBS-SK (Stratagene) to form plasmid pC6HIII3 kb. Nucleotide sequence of the canarypox insert in pC6HIII3 kb is presented in FIG. 28 (SEQ ID NO:169). In FIG. 28, the C6 ORF is located between nucleotides 377 to 2254.

Extension of canarypox sequence to the right of pC6HIII3 kb was obtained by sequence analysis of overlapping canarypox clones. In order to construct a donor plasmid for insertion of foreign genes into the C6 locus with the complete excision of the C6 open reading frame, flanking 5′ and 3′ arms were synthesized by using PCR primers and genomic canarypox DNA as template. The 380 bp 5′ flanking arm was synthesized using primers C6A1 (SEQ ID NO:170) 5′ ATCATCGAGCTCGCGGCCGCCTATCAAAAGTCTTAATGAGTT 3′ and C6B1 (SEQ ID NO:171) 5′ GAATTCCTCGAGCTGCAGCCCGGGTTTTTATAGCTAATTAGTCATTTTTTCGTAAGTAAGTATTTTTATTTAA 3′. The 1155 bp 3′ flanking arm was synthesized using primers C6C1 (SEQ ID NO:172) 5′ CCCGGGCTGCAGCTCGAGGAATTCTTTTTATTGATTAACTAGTCAAATGAGTATATATAATTGAAAAAGTAA 3′ and C6D1 (SEQ ID NO:173) 5′ GATGATGGTACCTTCATAAATACAAGTTTGATTAAACTTAAGTTG 3′. Left and right flanking arms synthesized above were combined by PCR reaction using primers C6A1 and C6D1, generating a full length product of 1613 bp. This PCR product was cut near the ends with SacI/KpnI and cloned into PBS-SK cut with SacI/KpnI, generating C6 insertion plasmid pC6L. pC6L contains, in the C6 deletion locus, a multicloning region flanked by translational stop codons and T5NT transcriptional terminators (Yuen and Moss, 1986). The sequence of pC6L is presented in FIG. 29 (SEQ ID NO:174). In FIG. 29, the multicloning region is located between nucleotide 407 and nucleotide 428.

Annealed synthetic oligonucleotides VQC (SEQ ID NO:175) 5′ TTAATCAGGATCCTTAATTAATTAGTTATTAGACAAGGTGAAACGAAACTATTTGTAGCTTAATTAATTAGCTGCAGCCCGGG 3′ and VQN (SEQ ID NO:176) 5′ CCCGGGCTGCAGCTAATTAATTAAGCTACAAATAGTTTCGTTTTCACCTTGTCTAATAACTAATTAATTAAGGATCCTGATTAA 3′ were ligated into pBS-SK resulting in an intermediate plasmid. Plasmid pMM117 contains a SmaI/EcoRI polylinker fragment from this intermediate plasmid replacing the SmaI/EcoRI polylinker of pC6L.

Plasmid pMP42GPT contains the Escherichia coli xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene (Ecogpt gene) (Pratt and Subramani, 1983) under the control of an entomopox promoter (EPV 42 kDa). The 31 bp EPV 42 kDa promoter sequence (SEQ ID NO:177) used in pMP42GPT is 5′ CAAAATTGAAAATATATAATTACAATATAAA 3′.

Insertion of 42 kDa/Ecogpt cassette into C6 locus; Construction of pMP117gpt-B. Plasmid pMP42GPT was cut with EcoRI and a 0.7 kb fragment containing the 42 kDa/Ecogpt expression cassette was isolated. This fragment was inserted into vector plasmid pMM117 cut with EcoRI in both orientations, generating pMP117gpt-A and pMP117gpt-B.

Insertion of I3L/murine IFNγ cassette into C6 locus; construction of pMPC6mIFgpt. Plasmid pMPI3mIF (Example 20) was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with PstI (partial digest) and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/murine IFNγ cassette was isolated. Vector plasmid pMP117gpt-B was cut with SmaI (partial digest) and full length linear DNA was isolated. This was cut with PstI and the largest fragment was isolated. Vector and insert fragments were ligated, resulting in insertion plasmid pMPC6mIFgpt. In addition to the I3L/murine IFNγ expression cassette, plasmid pMPC6mIFgpt contains the 42 kDa/Ecogpt expression cassette to allow for selection of recombinants through the use of mycophenolic acid (Boyle and Coupar, 1988; Falkner and Moss, 1988).

Recombination was accomplished between donor plasmid pMPC6mIFgpt and rescuing virus vCP275 (Example 18). Recombinant virus are plaque purified. The resultant ALVAC based recombinant virus contains the vaccinia I3L promoted murine IFNγ gene, as well as the EPV 42 kDa promoted Ecogpt gene, both in the C6 locus and the vaccinia H6 promoted murine IL-2 gene in the C3 locus.

Insertion of Murine IFNγ and Murine IL-2 into NYVAC. Insertion of I3L/murine IFNγ cassette into TK locus; construction of pMPTKm2IF. Plasmid pMPI3mIF (Example 20) was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with BamHI and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/murine IFNγ cassette was isolated. This fragment was ligated with vector plasmid pMM154 (Example 18) cut with SmaI/BamHI, resulting in insertion plasmid pMPTKm2IF.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMPTKm2IF and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1243, which contains the vaccinia I3L promoted murine IFNγ gene and the vaccinia H6 promoted murine IL-2 gene, both in the TK locus.

Expression of Murine IL-2 in ALVAC and NYVAC Based Recombinants Comparison with Recombinants Coexpressing Murine IL-2 and Murine IFNγ ELISA Assay

The level of expression of murine IL-2 produced by ALVAC based recombinants vCP275 and vCP288, and NYVAC based recombinants vP1239 and vP1243 was quantitated using a Murine Interleukin-2 ELISA kit from Collaborative Biomedical Products, Inc., Becton Dickinson, Bedford, Mass. (Mouse IL-2 ELISA kit Cat. No. 30032). Duplicate dishes containing confluent monolayers of murine L929 cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were infected with recombinant virus vCP275 or vP1239 expressing murine IL-2, recombinant virus vCP288 or vP1243 coexpressing murine IL-2 and murine IFNγ, or infected with ALVAC or NYVAC parental virus. Following overnight incubation at 37 C., supernatants were harvested and assayed for expression of murine IL-2 using the mouse Interleukin-2 ELISA kit as specified by the manufacturer (Collaborative Biomedical Products, Inc., Becton Dickinson, Bedford, Mass.). The mouse Interleukin-2 ELISA kit is a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay employing the multiple antibody sandwich principle. ELISA plates were read at 490 nm. Background from ALVAC or NYVAC samples was subtracted, and values from duplicate dishes were averaged. The mouse Interleukin-2 ELISA kit quantitates murine IL-2 in Biological Response Modifiers Program (BRMP) units (Gerrard et al., 1993). The quantity of murine IL-2 secreted is expressed as BRMP u/ml, which is equivalent to BRMP u/10⁶ cells (Table 27).

TABLE 27 Recombinant virus Cytokines expressed Murine IL-2 secreted vCP275 mIL-2 1838 BRMP u/ml vCP288 mIL-2 + mIFNγ 2124 BRMP u/ml vP1239 mIL-2 5030 BRMP u/ml vP1243 mIL-2 + mIFNγ 4353 BRMP u/ml

From the results reported in Table 27, it is evident that co-expression of murine IFNγ does not affect the level of murine IL-2 expression by ALVAC or NYVAC-based recombinants. Also, the level of murine IL-2 expression under the conditions of this assay is approximately twice as high for NYVAC based recombinants as it is for ALVAC based recombinants, in agreement with the results presented in Table 23, which were based on a different murine IL-2 ELISA assay (Intertest-2X™, Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.).

Example 23 Human IL-2 Plus IFNγ into ALVAC and NYVAC

Insertion of Human IFNγ into C6 locus of ALVAC; addition to ALVAC-Human IL-2 recombinant virus. Insertion of I3L/human IFNγ cassette into C6 locus; construction of pMPC6I3hIF. Plasmid pMPI3hIF (Example 21) was cut with HindIII and blunt ended with Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. The DNA was then cut with BamHI and a 0.6 kb fragment containing the I3L/human IFNγ cassette was isolated. ALVAC C6 vector plasmid pMM117 (Example 22) was cut with BamHI (partial)/SmaI and the largest fragment was isolated. These fragments were ligated, resulting in insertion plasmid pMPC6I3hIF.

Recombination was accomplished between donor plasmid pMPC6I3hIF and rescuing virus vCP277 (Example 19). Recombinants are plaque purified. The resultant ALVAC based recombinant virus contains the vaccinia I3L promoted human IFNγ gene in the C6 locus and the vaccinia H6 promoted human IL-2 gene in the C3 locus (vCP277+IFNγ).

Insertion of Human IFNγ and IL-2 into NYVAC. Insertion of H6/human IL-2 cassette into the TK locus; construction of pMPTK2hIF. Plasmid pMPTKI3hIF (Example 21) was cut with PstI and phosphatased with Shrimp alkaline phosphatase. Plasmid pRW858 (Example 19) was cut with PstI and a 700 bp fragment isolated. Phosphatased vector and insertion fragment were ligated, resulting in plasmid pMPTK2hIF. In pMPTK2hIF, the two human cytokine gene cassettes are both contained within the NYVAC TK insertion site, oriented in a tail-to-tail orientation. The human IFNγ gene is under the control of the vaccinia I3L promoter, and the human IL-2 gene is under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter.

Recombination was accomplished between donor plasmid pMPTKh2IF and NYVAC rescuing virus. Recombinants are plaque purified. The resultant NYVAC based recombinant virus contains the vaccinia I3L promoted human IFNγ gene and the vaccinia H6 promoted human IL-2 gene, both in the TK locus (NYVAC+IFNγ+IL-2).

Example 24 Murine IL-4 into ALVAC and NYVAC

Murine IL-4 into ALVAC. Plasmid p2A-E3, containing the murine IL-4 gene, (m IL-4) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC No. 37561). The murine IL-4 gene was placed under the control of the vaccinia E3L promoter by PCR as described below.

The vaccinia E3L promoter, a strong early promoter, is located immediately upstream from the vaccinia E3L open reading frame (Goebel et al., 1990).

Nucleotide sequence of the E3L/murine IL-4 expression cassette is presented in FIG. 30 (SEQ ID NO:178). In FIG. 30, the start codon of the murine IL-4 gene is at nucleotide position 68, and the stop codon is at nucleotide position 488.

The mIL-4 gene was amplified by PCR with oligonucleotide primers MIL45 (SEQ ID NO:179) 5′ CTCACCCGGGTACCGAATTCGAATAAAAAAATGATAAAGTAGGTTCAGTTTTATTGCTGGTTGTGTTAGTTCTCTCTAAAAATGGGTCTCAACCCCCAG 3′ and MIL43 (SEQ ID NO:180) 5′ TTAGGGATCCAGATCTCGAGATAAAAACTACGAGTAATCCATTTGCATGATGCTC 3′ and plasmid p2A-E3 (ATCC) as template. The resulting fragment contained the mIL-4 gene linked to the vaccinia E3L promotor and flanked by XmaI/KpnI/EcoRI and XhoI/BglII/BamHI sites at the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The amplified E3L/mIL-4 fragment was digested with XmaI/BamHI and ligated to an XmaI/BamHI-digested pVQCP3LSA-5 vector fragment. Plasmid pVQCP3LSA-5 (same as VQCP3LSA-3, Example 20) is an ALVAC C3 locus insertion plasmid. The resulting C3 donor plasmid was designated pC3.MIL4.2. An expression cassette consisting of the E. coli gpt gene linked to the entomopox 42 kDa promoter was isolated as a SmaI fragment from plasmid pMP42GPT (Example 22), then cloned into a SmaI-digested pC3.MIL4.2 vector fragment. The resulting plasmid was designated pC3MIL4.gpt.

Recombination was accomplished between donor plasmid pC3MIL4.gpt and ALVAC rescuing virus using the mycophenolic acid selection system (Example 22). Recombinant virus are plaque purified. The resultant recombinant virus contains the murine IL-4 gene under the control of the vaccinia E3L promoter, as well as the Ecogpt gene under the control of the EPV 42 kDa promoter, both at the C3 locus of ALVAC.

Murine IL-4 into NYVAC. The mIL-4 gene was amplified by PCR with primers MIL45 (SEQ ID NO:179) and MIL43 (SEQ ID NO:180) and plasmid p2A-E3 (ATCC) as template. The resulting fragment contained the mIL-4 gene linked to the vaccinia E3L promotor and flanked by XmaI/KpnI/EcoRI and XhoI/BglII/BamHI sites at the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The amplified E3L/mIL-4 fragment was digested with XmaI/BamHI. NYVAC TK insertion plasmid pSD542 (Example 18) was digested with XmaI/BamHI and ligated to the XmaI/BamHI-digested PCR fragment. The resulting TK donor plasmid was designated pTK-mIL4.

Recombination between donor plasmid pTK-mIL4 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1248 which contains the vaccinia E3L promoted murine IL-4 gene in the TK locus.

Example 25 Human IL-4 into ALVAC and NYVAC

Human IL-4 into ALVAC. Plasmid pcD-hIL-4, containing the human IL-4 gene, was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC No. 57593).

PCR fragment PCRhIL4-I was synthesized using plasmid pcD-hIL-4 as template DNA and synthetic oligonucleotides E3LIL4-C (SEQ ID NO:181) 5′ GCTGGTTGTGTTAGTTCTCTCTAAAAATGGGTCTCACCTCCCAACTG 3′ and E3LIL4-D (SEQ ID NO:182) 5′ ATCATCTCTAGAATAAAAATCAGCTCGAACACTTTGAATATTTCTCTCTCATG 3′ as primers.

Oligonucleotides E3LIL4-A (SEQ ID NO:183) 5′ ATCATCAAGCTTGAATAAAAAAATGATAAAGTAGGTTCAGTTTTATTGCTGGTTGTGTTAGTTCTCTCTAAAA 3′ and E3LIL4-B (SEQ ID NO:184) 5′ TTTTAGAGAGAACTAACACAACCAGCAATAAAACTGAACCTACTTTATCATTTTTTTATTC 3′ were annealed to generate Fragment II containing the vaccinia E3L promoter sequence (Example 24).

A second fusion PCR product (PCRhIL4-II) was obtained using PCR fragment PCRhIL4-I and Fragment II (annealed oligos) as DNA template and E3LIL4-D and E3LIL4-E (SEQ ID NO:185) 5′ ATCATCAAGCTTGAATAAAAAAATGATAAAGTAGGTTCAG 3′ as oligonucleotide primers. A complete HindIII/XbaI digest of PCRhIL4-II yielded an 536 bp fragment which was subsequently isolated. A complete HindIII/XbaI digest of pBS-SK+ (Stratagene) was performed and the 2.9 kb fragment isolated. The isolated fragments were ligated, resulting in plasmid pBShIL4.

FIG. 31 (SEQ ID NO:186) presents the nucleotide sequence of the expression cassette consisting of the E3L promoted human IL-4 gene. The start codon for the human IL-4 gene is at nucleotide position 62, and the stop codon is at nucleotide position 521.

A complete XbaI digest of plasmid pBShIL4 was performed. Ends were filled in using Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. This linearized plasmid was then digested with XhoI and the 536 bp fragment, containing the E3L promoter and human IL4 gene, was isolated. C3 insertion vector plasmid VQCP3LSA (same as pVQCP3LSA-3, Example 20) was completely digested with XhoI/SmaI and the 6.5 kb fragment isolated. The isolated fragments were ligated, resulting in insertion plasmid pC3hIL4.

Recombination between donor plasmid pC3hIL4 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP290, which contains the vaccinia E3L promoted human IL-4 gene in the C3 locus.

Human IL-4 into NYVAC. Plasmid pBShIL4 (discussed above) contains the E3L/human IL-4 expression cassette in pBS-SK. A complete XbaI digest of plasmid pBShIL4 was performed. Ends were filled in using Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase. This linearized plasmid was then digested with XhoI and the 536 bp fragment, containing the E3L promoter and human IL-4 gene, was isolated. NYVAC TK insertion vector plasmid pSD542 (Example 18) was completely digested with XhoI/SmaI and the 3.9 kb fragment isolated. The isolated fragments were ligated, resulting in insertion plasmid pTKhIL4.

Recombination between donor plasmid pTKhIL4 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1250, which contains the vaccinia E3L promoted human IL-4 gene in the TK locus.

Example 26 Human GMCSF in ALVAC and NYVAC

Human GMCSF into ALVAC. Plasmid GMCSF, containing the gene encoding the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGMCSF), was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC No. 39754).

PCR fragment GMCSF-I was synthesized using plasmid GMCSF as template DNA and E3LGMC-A (SEQ ID NO:187) 5′ GCTGGTTGTGTTAGTTCTCTCTAAAAATGTGGCTGCAGAGCCTGCTG 3′ and E3LGMC-B (SEQ ID NO:188) 5′ ATCATCCTCGAGATAAAAATCACTCCTGGACTGGCTCCCAGCAGTCAAAGGGG 3′ as oligonucleotide primers.

Synthetic oligonucleotides E3LSMA-B (SEQ ID NO:189) 5′ ATCATCCCCGGGGAATAAAAAAATGATAAAGTAGGTTCAGTTTTATTGCTGGTTGTGTTAGTTCTCTCTAAAA 3′ and E3LIL4-B (SEQ ID NO:184; Example 25) were annealed to generate fragment GMCSF-P containing the vaccinia E3L promoter sequence.

A fusion PCR product (GMCSF-II) was obtained using fragments GMCSF-I and GMCSF-P as DNA templates and E3LSMA-A (SEQ ID NO:190) 5′ ATCATCCCCGGGGAATAAAAAAATGATAAAGTAGGTTCAG3′ and E3LGMC-B as oligonucleotide primers. A complete XhoI/SmaI digest of GMCSF-II yielded a 0.5 kb fragment which was subsequently isolated. A complete XhoI/SmaI digest of pBS-SK+ was performed and the 2.9 kb fragment isolated. The isolated fragments were ligated, resulting in plasmid pBSGMCSF, which contains the vaccinia E3L/hGMCSF expression cassette.

Nucleotide sequence of the vaccinia E3L/hGMCSF expression cassette is given in FIG. 32 (SEQ ID NO:191). In FIG. 32, the start codon for hGMCSF is at nucleotide position 62, the stop codon is at nucleotide position 494.

A complete XhoI/SmaI digest of pBSGMCSF (above) was performed and the 0.5 kb fragment, containing the vaccinia E3L promoter and hGMCSF gene, was isolated. ALVAC C3 insertion plasmid VQCP3LSA (Example 20) was completely digested with XhoI/SmaI and the 6.5 kb fragment isolated. The isolated fragments were ligated, resulting in plasmid pC3hGMCSF.

Recombination between donor plasmid pC3hGMCSF and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP285, which contains the vaccinia E3L promoted human GMCSF gene in the C3 locus.

Human GMCSF into NYVAC. A complete XhoI/SmaI digest of pBSGMCSF was performed and the 0.5 kb fragment, containing the vaccinia E3L promoter and hGMCSF gene, was isolated. pSD542 (Example 18) was completely digested with XhoI/SmaI and the 3.9 kb fragment isolated. The isolated fragments were ligated, resulting in plasmid pTKhGMCSF.

Recombination between donor plasmid pTKhGMCSF and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1246, which contains the vaccinia E3L promoted human GMCSF gene in the TK locus.

Expression of human GMCSF in ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants. ELISA assay. The level of expression of human GMCSF produced by ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vCP285 and vP1246 was quantitated using an ELISA kit from Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. (Factor-Test Human GM-CSF ELISA Kit, Genzyme Corporation, product code GM-TE.) Duplicate dishes containing confluent monolayers of human HeLa cells (2×10⁶ cells/dish) were infected with recombinant virus vCP285 or vP1246 expressing human GMCSF or infected with ALVAC or NYVAC parental virus. Following overnight incubation at 37° C., supernatants were harvested and assayed for expression of human GMCSF using the Factor-Test Human GM-CSF ELISA kit as specified by the manufacturer (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.). The Factor-Test Human GM-CSF ELISA Kit is a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay employing the multiple antibody sandwich principle. ELISA plates were read at 490 nm. Background from ALVAC or NYVAC samples was subtracted, and values from duplicate dishes were averaged. The quantity of human GMCSF secreted is expressed as picograms(pg)/ml, which is equivalent to pg/10⁶ cells (Table 28).

TABLE 28 Recombinant virus Human GMCSF secreted vCP285 2413 pg/ml vP1246 4216 pg/ml

Example 27 Human IL-12 in ALVAC and NYVAC

Derivation of DNA encoding the two subunits of the human IL-12 gene. First strand cDNA synthesis was performed on total RNA isolated from human EBV transformed cell line GJBCL stimulated 24 hrs. with 100 nM Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate. Oligonucleotide primers used for PCR amplification of the genes encoding the p35 and p40 subunits (below) were based on the published human IL-12 sequence (Gubler et al., 1991).

The p40 subunit of the human IL-12 gene (hIL12p40) was obtained as PCR fragment PCR J60 using first strand cDNA from cell line GJBCL as template and oligonucleotides JP202 (SEQ ID NO:192) 5′ CATCATATCGATGGTACCTCAAAATTGAAAATATATAATTACAATATAAAATGTGTCACCAGCAGTTGG 3′ and JP189 (SEQ ID NO:193) 5′ TACTACGAGCTCTCAGATAGAAATTATATCTTTTTGGG 3′ as primers. PCR J60 was cut with SacI/ClaI and a 1.0 kb fragment was isolated and ligated with pBSSK⁺ (Stratagene), cut with SacI/ClaI, generating plasmid PBSHIL12p40II. In plasmid PBSHIL12p40II, hIL12p40 is under the control of the entomopox 42 kDa promoter (Example 22).

The sequence of the EPV 42 kDa/human IL-12 P40 expression cassette is presented in FIG. 33 (SEQ ID NO:194). In FIG. 33, the initiation codon for the human IL-12 P40 subunit is at nucleotide position 32, the stop codon is at nucleotide position 1017.

The p35 subunit of the human IL-12 gene (hIL12p35) was obtained as PCR fragment PCR J59 using first strand cDNA from cell line GJBCL as template as oligonucleotides JP186 (SEQ ID NO:195) 5′ CATCATGGTACCTCAAAATTGAAAATATATAATTACAATATAAAATGTGTCCAGCGCGCAGCC 3′ and JP201 (SEQ ID NO:196) 5′ TACTACATCGATTTAGGAAGCATTCAGATAG 3′ as primers. PCR J59 was cut with Asp718/ClaI and a 0.7 kb fragment was isolated and ligated with pBSSK⁺ (Stratagene), generating plasmid PG2. The hIL12p35 gene was put under the control of the vaccinia E3L promoter (Example 24) by a PCR reaction using plasmid PG2 as template and oligonucleotides JP218 (SEQ ID NO:197) 5′ CATCATGGTACCGAATAAAAAAATGATAAAGTAGGTTCAGTTTTATTGCTGGTTGTGTTAGTTCTCTCTAAAAATGTGTCCAGCGCGCAGCC 3′ and JP220 (SEQ ID NO:198) 5′ CATCATATCGATTTAGGAAGCATTCAGATAGCTCGTCAC 3′ as primers. PCR J62 was cut with Asp718/ClaI and a 0.7 kb fragment was isolated and ligated with pBSSK⁺ (Stratagene), generating plasmid PBSHIL12p35II.

The sequence of the vaccinia E3L/human IL-12 P35 expression cassette is presented in FIG. 34 (SEQ ID NO:199). In FIG. 34, the initiation codon for the human IL-12 P35 subunit is at nucleotide position 62, the stop codon is at nucleotide position 719.

A cassette containing poxvirus-promoted genes for both subunits of human IL-12 was assembled in pBSSK⁺ by ligating a 0.7 kb Asp718/ClaI fragment from PBSHIL12p35II and a 1.0 kb Asp718/SacI fragment from PBSHIL12p40II into pBSSK⁺ cut with SacI/ClaI. The resulting plasmid was designated PBSHIL12. In PBSHIL12 the EPV 42 kDa/hIL12p40 cassette and the vaccinia E3L/hIL12p35 cassette are oriented in a head-to-head orientation relative to each other.

Human IL-12 into ALVAC. The combination cassette containing poxvirus-promoted genes for both subunits of human IL-12 was excised as a 1.7 kb SacI/ClaI fragment from plasmid PBSHIL12. The fragment was blunt-ended by treatment with the Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase, and cloned into ALVAC C6 vector plasmid pC6L (Example 22) cut with SmaI. The resulting plasmid was designated pC6HIL12.

Recombination was performed between donor plasmid pC6HIL12 and ALVAC rescuing virus. Recombinant virus are plaque purified. The resultant recombinant virus (ALVAC+IL-12) contains both of the human IL-12 genes in the C6 locus of ALVAC.

Human IL-12 into NYVAC. The combination cassette containing poxvirus-promoted genes for both subunits of human IL-12 was excised as a 1.7 kb SacI/ClaI fragment from plasmid PBSHIL12. The fragment was blunt-ended by treatment with the Klenow fragment of E. coli polymerase, and cloned into NYVAC TK vector plasmid pSD542 (Example 18) cut with SmaI. The resulting plasmid was designated pTKHIL12.

Recombination was performed between donor plasmid pTKHIL12 and NYVAC rescuing virus. Recombinant virus are plaque purified. The resultant recombinant virus (NYVAC+IL-12) contains both of the human IL-12 genes in the TK locus of NYVAC.

Example 28 Murine B7 in ALVAC and NYVAC

Murine B7 into ALVAC. Preparation of cDNA for murine B7. Macrophages from a naive Balb/c mouse spleen were stimulated in vitro with Concanavalin A and LPS. Total RNA from these cells was used as a template for first-strand cDNA synthesis by reverse transcription using oligo dT as a primer. An aliquot of first strand cDNA preparation was used for the specific murine B7 cDNA amplification by PCR using the primers LF32 (SEQ ID NO:200) 5′ TATCTGGAATTCTATCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGCTTGCAATTGTCAG 3′ and LF33 (SEQ ID NO:201) 5′ ATCGTAAGCTTACTAAAGGAAGACGGTCTG 3′. The specific primers LF32 and LF33 were derived from the published sequence of murine B7 (Freeman and al., 1991). Nucleotides 5′ to the ATG in LF32 correspond to part of the vaccinia H6 promoter (Perkus et al., 1989). The amplified 951 nucleotide cDNA fragment containing the murine B7 gene was digested by EcoRI and HindIII and subsequently cloned into the corresponding sites of the plasmid pBSSK⁺ (Statagene). The resulting plasmid, pLF1, was digested with NruI and XhoI, and a 949 bp fragment containing part of the vaccinia H6 promoter and the entire murine B7 gene was isolated.

Plasmid pMPC616E6 contains a non relevant gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the ALVAC C6 insertion locus. Plasmid pMPC616E6 was digested with NruI and XhoI, and the 4,403 bp NruI-XhoI fragment containing the bulk of the H6 promoter in the ALVAC C6 insertion locus was isolated. This vector fragment was ligated with the NruI/XhoI fragment from pLF1. The resulting plasmid was named pLF4.

Nucleotide sequence of the murine B7 gene is given in FIG. 35 (SEQ ID NO:202). In FIG. 35, the start codon for the murine B7 gene is at nucleotide 1 and the stop codon is at nucleotide 919.

Recombination between donor plasmid pLF4 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP268, which contains the vaccinia H6 promoted murine B7 gene in the C6 locus.

Murine B7 into NYVAC. Plasmid pSIV12 contains a nonrelevant gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the NYVAC I4L insertion locus. Plasmid pSIV12 was digested with NruI and XhoI, and the 3,557 bp NruI-XhoI fragment containing the bulk of the H6 promoter in the NYVAC I4L insertion locus was isolated. This fragment was ligated to annealed synthetic oligonucleotides LF57 (SEQ ID NO:203) 5′ CGACATTTGGATTTCAAGCTTCTACG 3′ and LF58 (SEQ ID NO:204) 5′ GATCCGTAGAAGCTTGAAATCCAAATGTCG 3′ which contain an internal HindIII site. The resulting plasmid, pLF2, was digested with NruI and HindIII, and a 3,659 bp vector fragment was isolated. Plasmid pLF1 (above) was digested with NruI and HindIII, and a 951 bp NruI-HindIII fragment containing part of the vaccinia H6 promoter and the entire murine B7 gene was isolated. These two fragments were ligated, generating plasmid pLF3.

Plasmid pLF3 corresponds to an I4L NYVAC donor plasmid containing the entire murine B7 coding sequence under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter.

Recombination between donor plasmid pLF3 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1230, which contains the vaccinia H6 promoted murine B7 gene in the I4L locus.

Surface expression of B7 on murine tumor cells infected with ALVAC and NYVAC-based recombinants expressing murine B7. K1735 mouse melanoma cells and CC-36 mouse colon carcinoma cells were infected with 10 pfu per cell of NYVAC-B7 (vP1230), ALVAC-B7 (vCP268), or NYVAC or ALVAC parental virus for 1 hour, washed free of unadsorbed virus by centrifugation, and incubated at 37° C. B16 mouse melanoma cells were treated similarly except that the cells were infected with 5 pfu of virus per cell. After a 1 hr (K1735) or overnight (CC-36;B16) incubation, the cells were washed in PBS by centrifugation and resuspended in 1.0 ml of PBS. To each cell preparation, 0.005 ml of 1:5 diluted Fc Block (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif. , cat. 01241A; purified anti-mouse Fcã II receptor) and 0.1 ml of 1:100 diluted FITC-rat anti-mouse B7 monoclonal antibody (Pharmingen, cat. 01944D) was added. The cells were incubated for 30 minutes at 4° C., washed twice in cold PBS by centrifugation and analyzed for cell-associated FITC fluorescence by flow cytometry (Becton-Dickinson FACScan).

Although K1735 cells infected with NYVAC-B7 (vP1230) or ALVAC-B7 (vCP268) for 1 hour showed only slightly higher fluorescence than control uninfected or NYVAC or ALVAC infected cells, B7 expression in recombinant infected CC-36 and B16 cells was remarkable (FIG. 36). As demonstrated by the uninfected control cells, none of the three cell lines endogenously expresses murine B7. Clearly, infection of established murine tumor cell lines with NYVAC-B7 (vP1230) or ALVAC-B7 (vCP268), but not the vectors NYVAC or ALVAC, results in high levels of expression of the murine T-lymphocyte co-activator molecule, BB-1/B7.

Example 29 Human B7 in NYVAC

Preparation of cDNA for human B7. Macrophages from human peripheral blood were stimulated in vitro with Concanavalin A and LPS. Total RNA from these cells was used as a template for first-strand cDNA synthesis by reverse transcription using oligo dT as a primer. An aliquot of first strand DNA preparation was used for specific human B7 cDNA amplification by PCR using the primers LF62 (SEQ ID NO:205) 5′ ATCGTAAGCTTATTATACAGGGCGTACACTTTC 3′ and LF61bis (SEQ ID NO:206) 5′ TATCTGGAATTCTATCGCGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGGCCACACACGGAGG 3′.

The specific primers LF62 and LF61bis were derived from the published sequence of human B7 (Freeman and al., 1989). Nucleotides 5′ to the ATG in LF61bis correspond to part of the vaccinia H6 promoter (Perkus et al., 1989). The amplified 997 nucleotide cDNA fragment containing the murine B7 gene was digested by EcoRI and HindIII and subsequently cloned into the corresponding sites of the plasmid pBSSK⁺ (Stratagene). This plasmid was designated pLF6.

The sequence for the human B7 gene is presented in FIG. 37 (SEQ ID NO:207). In FIG. 37, the start codon for the human B7 gene is at nucleotide position 1 and the stop codon is at nucleotide position 865.

Insertion of Human B7 into NYVAC. Plasmid pLF3 (Example 28) was digested with NruI and HindIII and a 3652 bp vector fragment containing the bulk of the H6 promoter in the NYVAC I4L insertion locus was isolated. Plasmid pLF6 (above) was digested with NruI and HindIII, and a 897 bp fragment containing part of the vaccinia H6 promoter and the entire human B7 gene was isolated. These two fragments were ligated, generating plasmid pLF7.

Plasmid pLF7 corresponds to an I4L NYVAC donor plasmid containing the entire human B7 coding sequence under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter.

Recombination between donor plasmid pLF7 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1245, which contains the vaccinia H6 promoted human B7 gene in the I4L locus.

Expression of human B7. FACScan. Human HeLa cells were infected with recombinant virus vP1245 expressing human B7 or with NYVAC parental virus. A monoclonal antibody specific for human B7 (Anti-BB1 (B7), Cat. No. 550024, Becton Dickinson Advanced Cellular Biology, San Jose, Calif.), was used to detect expression of human B7 on the surface of infected cells by flow cytometry (Becton-Dickinson FACScan) as described in Example 28. B7 was detected on the surface of cells infected with recombinant virus vP1245. B7 was not detected on the surface of uninfected cells or cells infected with NYVAC parental virus.

Immunoprecipitation. NYVAC based recombinant virus vP1245 was assayed for expression of the human B7 gene using immunoprecipitation. Recombinant or parental virus were inoculated onto preformed monolayers of tissue culture cells in the presence of radiolabelled ³⁵S -methionine and treated as previously described (Taylor et al., 1990). Immunoprecipitation reactions were performed using a monoclonal antibody specific for human B7 (Anti-BB1(B7), Cat. No. 550024, Becton Dickinson Advanced Cellular Biology, San Jose, Calif.). A protein of between approximately 44 and 54 kDa was precipitated from cells infected with recombinant virus vP1245, in agreement with Freeman et al. (1989). The protein was not immunoprecipitated from uninfected cells or cells infected with NYVAC parental virus.

Example 30 Co-insertion of Murine IFNγ and Murine B7 into ALVAC and NYVAC

Co-Insertion of Murine IFNγ and Murine B7 into ALVAC. Recombination was accomplished between donor plasmid pLF4 (Example 28) and rescuing virus vCP271 (Example 20). Recombinant virus are plaque purified. The resultant ALVAC based recombinant virus (ALVAC+IFNγ+B7) contains the vaccinia I3L promoted murine IFNγ gene in the C3 locus and the vaccinia H6 promoted murine B7 gene in the C6 locus.

Co-Insertion of Murine IFNγ and Murine B7 into NYVAC. Recombination was accomplished between donor plasmid pMPTKmIF (Example 20) and rescuing virus vP1230 (Example 28). Recombinant virus are plaque purified. The resultant NYVAC based recombinant virus (NYVAC+IFNγ+B7) contains the vaccinia I3L promoted murine IFNγ gene in the TK locus and the vaccinia H6 promoted murine B7 gene in the I4L locus.

Example 31 Insertion of Wildtype and Mutant Forms of Murine P53 into ALVAC

The gene for the nuclear phosphoprotein p53 is the gene most frequently found to be mutated in a wide variety of human tumors (reviewed in Hollstein et al., 1991). NYVAC and ALVAC-based p53 recombinant virus are described in Example 15.

Insertion of wildtype Murine p53 into ALVAC. Plasmid p11-4 containing murine wild-type p53 was received from Arnold Levine (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.). The p53 sequence is described in Pennica et al., (1984). The murine wild-type p53 gene was placed under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter and the p53 3′ non coding end was removed with PCR-derived fragments.

A fragment containing the H6 promoted 5′ end of the p53 gene fused to the 3′ end of the p53 gene was generated by several PCRs as described below.

PCR I: Plasmid pRW825, containing the H6 promoter and a nonpertinent gene, was used as template with oligonucleotides MM080 (SEQ ID NO:208) 5′ ATTATTATTGGATCCTTAATTAATTAGTGATACGC 3′ and MM081 (SEQ ID NO:209) 5′ CTCCTCCATGGCAGTCATTACGATACAAACTTAAC 3′ producing a 228 bp fragment containing the H6 promoter and the 5′-most base pairs of the murine p53 gene. MM080 anneals to the 5′ end of the H6 promoter and primes toward the 3′ end. MM081 anneals to the 3′ end of the H6 promoter and primes toward the 5′ end.

PCR II: Plasmid p11-4 was used as template with oligonucleotides MM082 (SEQ ID NO:210) 5′ CGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGACTGCCATGGAGGAGTC 3′ and MM083 (SEQ ID NO:211) 5′ TAGTAGTAGTAGTAGCTTCTGGAGGAAGTAGTTTCC 3′ to generate a 129 bp fragment with the 3′-end of the H6 promoter, the 5′ end of the p53 gene followed by 15 bp which overlaps PCR fragment PCRIII (described below). MM082 contains the 3′ end of the H6 promoter and primes from the 5′ end of the murine p53 gene. MM083 anneals to position 97 (FIG. 38) of the murine p53 gene and primes toward the 5′ end.

PCRIII: Plasmid p11-4 was used as template with oligonucleotides MM084 (SEQ ID NO:212) 5′ CAGAAGCTACTACTACTACTACCCACCTGCACAAGCGCC 3′ and MM085 (SEQ ID NO:213) 5′ AACTACTGTCCCGGGATAAAAATCAGTCTGAGTCAGGCCCCAC 3′ to generate a 301 bp fragment. The 301 bp PCR-derived fragment contains the 3′ end of the p53 gene, and the 5′ end overlaps the 3′ end of the PCRII product. MM084 (SEQ ID NO:212) primes from position 916 of the murine p53 gene toward the 3′ end. MM085 (SEQ ID NO:213) primes from position 1173 toward gene 5′ end. The three PCR products were pooled and primed with MM080 and MM085. The resultant 588 bp fragment contains a BamHI site followed by the H6 promoted 5′ end of the p53 gene fused to the p53 gene 3′ end followed by a SmaI site; the 5′ end of the p53 gene ends at the XhoI site at position 37, and the 3′ end starts at the SacII site at position 990 (FIG. 38). The 588 bp PCR-derived fragment was digested with BamHI and SmaI generating a 565 bp fragment which was inserted into BamHI/SmaI digested pNC5LSP5 (described below). The resultant plasmid, designated pMM136, was digested with KspI and XhoI to remove a 149 bp fragment, and the 953 bp KspI/XhoI fragment from p11-4 was inserted. The resultant plasmid, pMM148, contains the H6 promoted wild-type murine p53 in the ALVAC C5 insertion locus.

The construction of pNC5LSP5 is as follows. A C5 insertion vector plasmid pC5LSP (Example 14) was digested with EcoRI, treated with alkaline phosphatase and ligated to self-annealed oligonucleotide CP29 (SEQ ID NO:102) 5′ AATTGCGGCCGC 3′, then digested with NotI and linear purified followed by self-ligation. This procedure introduced a NotI site to pC5LSP, generating pNC5LSP5.

The nucleotide sequence of the wildtype murine p53 gene is presented in FIG. 38 (SEQ ID NO:214). The start codon is at position 1 and the stop codon is at position 1171.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM148 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP263. vCP263 contains the wild type murine p53 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the C5 locus.

Insertion of a mutant form of Murine p53 into ALVAC. Plasmid pSVK215 containing a mutant form of the murine p53 gene was received from Arnold Levine (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.). The mutation in pSVKH215 changes the sequence GTAC of the murine p53 coding sequence (FIG. 38) nt positions 643 through 646 to CCAAGCTTGG. The insertion between nt positions 643 and 646 changes the predicted amino acid coding sequence from val-pro to pro-ser-leu-ala; and the insertion replaces a KpnI site with a HindIII site. The construction of pSVKH215 is described in Tan et al., (1986).

Plasmid pMM136 (described above) contains the vaccinia H6 promoted 5′ end of the p53 gene fused to the 3′ end of the p53 gene in an ALVAC C5 locus insertion plasmid. pMM136 was digested with KspI and XhoI to remove 149 bp, and the 960 bp KspI/XhoI fragment containing the mutation described above from pSVKH215 was inserted. The resultant plasmid, pMM149, contains the H6 promoted murine mutant p53 gene in the C5 locus.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM149 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP267. vCP267 contains the mutant form of the murine p53 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the C5 locus.

Example 32 Insertion of Mutant Forms of Human P53 into ALVAC and NYVAC

Mutant forms of Human p53 into ALVAC. FIG. 18 (Example 15) presented the sequence of the vaccinia H6 promoted human wild type p53 gene cassette in an ALVAC-based recombinant, vCP207. In this example, to facilitate description of the mutant forms of the human p53 gene being described, FIG. 39 (SEQ ID NO:215) presents only the coding sequence for the human wild type p53 gene. The start codon is at position 1 and the stop codon is at position 1180.

Plasmid Cx22A, containing a mutant form of the human p53 gene, was received from Arnold Levine (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.). Relative to the wild type p53 sequence presented in FIG. 39, the G at nucleotide position 524 is substituted with an A, changing the arg amino acid at codon 175 of the wild type protein to a his amino acid in Cx22A.

Plasmid pMM110 (Example 15, FIG. 18) contains the vaccinia H6 promoted wildtype human p53 gene in the ALVAC C5 insertion site. The human p53 gene contains two PflmI sites. p53 coding sequences upstream from the first PflmI site and downstream from the second PflmI site are the same in pMM110 as in Cx22A. pMM110 was digested with PflmI to remove the 853 central base pairs of the p53 gene. The 853 bp PflmI fragment from Cx22A containing the base change at position 524 was inserted. The resultant plasmid, pMM143, contains the H6 promoted mutant p53 gene.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM143 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP270. vCP270 contains the mutant form of the human p53 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the C5 locus.

Plasmid pR4-2 containing a mutant form of the human p53 gene was received from Arnold Levine (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.). Relative to the wild type p53 sequence presented in FIG. 39, the G at nucleotide position 818 is substituted by an A, changing the arg codon at amino acid position 273 to a his codon in pR4-2.

Plasmid pMM110 (Example 15, FIG. 18) contains the vaccinia H6 promoted human wildtype p53 gene in the ALVAC C5 insertion site. p53 coding sequences upstream from the first PflmI site and p53 coding sequences downstream from the second PflmI site are the same in pMM110 as in pR4-2. pMM110 was digested with PflmI to remove the 853 central base pairs of the p53 gene. The 853 bp PflmI fragment from pR4-2 containing the base change at nucleotide position 818 was inserted. The resultant plasmid, pMM144, contains the H6 promoted mutant form of the human p53 gene in the C5 insertion locus.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM144 and ALVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vCP269. vCP269 contains the mutant form of the human p53 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the C5 locus.

Mutant forms of Human p53 into NYVAC. Plasmid Cx22A, described above, contains a mutant form of the human p53 gene, in which the G at nucleotide position 524 (FIG. 39) is substituted by an A, changing the arg codon at amino acid position 175 to a his codon in Cx22A.

Plasmid pMM106 (Example 15) contains the vaccinia H6 promoted wild-type human p53 gene in the NYVAC I4L insertion locus. p53 coding sequences upstream from the first PflmI site and p53 coding sequences downstream from the second PflmI site are the same in pMM106 as in Cx22A. pMM106 was digested with PflmI to remove the 853 central base pairs of the p53 gene. The 853 bp PflmI fragment from Cx22A containing the base change at position 524 was inserted. The resultant plasmid, pMM140, contains the H6 promoted mutant p53 gene.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM140 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1234. vP1234 contains the mutant form of the human p53 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the I4L locus.

Plasmid pR4-2, described above, contains a mutant form of the human p53 gene, in which the G at nucleotide position 818 (FIG. 39) is substituted by an A, changing the arg codon at amino acid position 273 to a his codon in pR4-2.

pMM106 (Example 15) contains the H6 promoted wild-type human p53 gene in the I4L locus. p53 coding sequences upstream from the first PflmI site and p53 coding sequences downstream from the second PflmI site are the same in pMM106 as in pR4-2. pMM106 was digested with PflmI to remove the 853 central base pairs of the p53 gene. The 853 bp PflmI fragment from pR4-2 containing the base change at position 818 was inserted. The resultant plasmid, pMM141, contains the H6 promoted mutant p53 gene.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM141 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1233. vP1233 contains the mutant form of the human p53 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the I4L locus.

A listing of the wildtype and mutant forms of murine p53 and the mutant forms of human p53 present in ALVAC and NYVAC recombinants described in Examples 31 and 32 is provided in Table 29.

TABLE 29 Recombinant Virus Parent Virus Species Gene Insert vCP263 ALVAC murine w.t. p53 vCP267 ALVAC murine p53 (+3 aa) vCP270 ALVAC human p53 (aa 175; R to H) vCP269 ALVAC human p53 (aa 273; R to H) vP1234 NYVAC human p53 (aa 175; R to H) vP1233 NYVAC human p53 (aa 273; R to H)

Immunoprecipitation. ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vP1101, vP1096, vP1098, vCP207, vCP193, vCP191 (all described in Example 15; Table 22, as well as ALVAC and NYVAC based recombinants vCP270, vCP269, vP1233, vP1234 described in this Example, Table 29), contain wild type or mutant forms of the human p53 gene. All of these recombinant virus were assayed for expression of the human p53 gene using immunoprecipitation.

Recombinant or parental virus were inoculated onto preformed monolayers of tissue culture cells in the presence of radiolabelled ³⁵S-methionine and treated as previously described (Taylor et al., 1990). Immunoprecipitation reactions were performed using a human p53 specific monoclonal antibody 1801. A protein of between 47 and 53 kDa was precipitated from cells infected with any of the recombinant viruses, vP1101, vP1096, vP1098, vCP207, vCP193, vCP191, vCP270, vCP269, vP1233, or vP1234, but not from uninfected cells or cells infected with parental ALVAC or NYVAC virus.

Based upon the properties of the poxvirus vector systems, NYVAC, ALVAC and TROVAC cited above, such vectors expressing either wildtype or mutant forms of p53 provide valuable reagents to determine whether endogenous CTL activities can be detected in patient effector populations (TILs, PBMC, or lymph node cells); and, valuable vehicles for the stimulation or the augmenting of such activities; for instance, augmenting such activities by in vitro or ex vivo stimulation with these recombinant viruses. Further, the highly attenuated properties of both NYVAC and ALVAC allow the recombinants of the invention to be used for interventive immunotherapeutic modalities discussed above, e.g., in vivo interventive immunotherapy

Example 33 ERB-B-2 into COPAK

Plasmid ErbB2SphIstop was obtained from Jeffrey Marks (Duke University Center). ErbB2SphIstop contains a 3.8 kb human erb-B-2 cDNA insert cloned in pUC19. The insert extends from nt 150 through nt 3956 (Yamamoto et al., 1986) and contains the entire erb-B-2 coding sequence. In ErbB2SphIstop, the SphI site at nt 2038 was mutagenized by the addition of an XbaI linker, creating an in frame stop codon. The remaining, truncated, ORF thus specifies an extracellular, secretable form of the erb-B-2 gene product, mimicking the translation product of the 2.3 kb mRNA. Plasmid ErbB2SphIstop was digested with XhoI and the 3.8 kb erb-B-2 fragment was isolated. This isolated fragment was ligated with COPAK vector plasmid pSD555 cut with XhoI, resulting in plasmid pMM113.

Plasmid pSD555 was derived as follows. Plasmid pSD553 (Example 17) is a vaccinia deletion/insertion plasmid of the COPAK series. It contains the vaccinia K1L host range gene (Gillard et al., 1986) within flanking Copenhagen vaccinia arms, replacing the ATI region (orfs A25L, A26L; Goebel et al., 1990).

Plasmid pSD553 was cut with NruI and ligated with a SmaI/NruI fragment containing the synthetic vaccinia H6 promoter element (Perkus et al., 1989) upstream from the NruI site located at −26 relative to the translation initiation codon. The resulting plasmid, pMP553H6, contains the vaccinia H6 promoter element located downstream from the K1L gene within the A26L insertion locus.

To complete the vaccinia H6 promoter and add a multicloning region for the insertion of foreign DNA, plasmid pMP553H6 was cut with NruI/BamHI and ligated with annealed synthetic oligonucleotides MPSYN349 (SEQ ID NO:216) 5′ CGATATCCGTTAAGTTTGTATCGTAATGGAGCTCCTGCAGCCCGGGG 3′ and MPSYN350 (SEQ ID NO:217) 5′ GATCCCCCGGGCTGCAGGAGCTCCATTACGATACAAACTTAACGGATATCG 3′. The resulting plasmid, pSD555, contains the entire H6 promoter region followed by a multicloning region.

Recombination between donor plasmid pMM113 and NYVAC rescuing virus generated recombinant virus vP1100. vP1100 contains the erb-B-2 gene under the control of the vaccinia H6 promoter in the I4L locus, along with the vaccinia K1L host range gene.

Immunoprecipitation. Preformed monolayers of Vero cells were inoculated at 10 pfu per cell with parental NYVAC virus and recombinant virus vP1100 in the presence of radiolabelled ³⁵S-methionine and treated as previously described (Taylor et al., 1990). Immunoprecipitation reactions were performed using a human erb-B-2 specific monoclonal antibody TA1-1C. A protein of approximately 97 kDa was precipitated from cells infected with vP1100, but not from uninfected cells or cells infected with parental NYVAC virus.

Example 34 Immunotherapy of Prostate Cancer Using Non-Replicative Canary—Pox (ALVAC) Virus Carrying Cytokine Genes and Bladder Tumor Studies

The effect of local cytokine production on the growth and development of tumor immunity to the prostate tumor (RM-1; provided by Dr. Timothy C. Thompson, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.) was tested. The cytokine genes (IL2, IFNγ, TNFα, GM-CSF, and IL12) and the co-stimulatory molecule, B7, were incorporated into the canary pox viral vector, ALVAC (Virogenetics, Inc, Troy, N.Y.). ALVAC is a canarypox virus that does not undergo productive replication in mammalian cells, although the protein production of extrinsic genes by treated cells is high. Parental ALVAC (cPpp) for five (5) hours. Preliminary studies using the ALVAC-IL2 vector (vCP275) measured IL2 production at varying virus: tumor ratios of 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1. IL2 concentrations were 156, 164 and 146 u/ml/10⁶ cells/24 hour, respectively. Because the 5:1 ratio gave equivalent IL2 levels, this infectivity ratio was used for all antitumor studies. Infected tumor cells were inoculated subcutaneoulsy in the back of C57BL/6 mice, and tumor growth and survival were followed. The initial studies tested the growth of RM-1 cells treated with ALVAC-IL2, ALCAC-IFNγ (vCP271), ALVAC-TNFα was observed to significantly (P<0.05) delay RM-1 outgrowth compared to parental virus control. ALVAC-TNFα treatment alone enhanced survival; however, all animals ultimately died of tumor. Studies were performed to determine the effect of ALVAC-TNFα combined with either ALVAC-IL2, ALVAC-B7 or ALVAC-IFNγ. Combination therapy with ALVAC-IL2 and ALVAC-TNFα significantly enhanced the ingibition of tumor growth (P<0.005). Furthermore, the combination of TNFα and IL2 induced RM-1 regression in 60% of treated mice. The regression resulted in complete cure since no tumor recurrence was observed during an observation period of 100 days. Histological analysis of the tumor regression site revealed mononuclear infiltration and tumor cell necrosis. No cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity forward RM-1 cell was observed in mice rejecting RM-1 tumors, although allogeneic CTL were observed to kill RM-1 cells. Furthermore, no protection against subsequent tumor challenge was present in RM-1 cured mice. Finally, RM-1 cells were demonstrated to be resistant to the lytic effects of TNFα in vitro. These data suggest that the combination of ALVAC-TNFα and ALVAC-IL2 induced nonspecific immune mechanisms that resulted in tumor elimination.

Splenocytes from the same pool were incubated for 48 hours with 10 units per ml of Interleukin 2. Further, 51 chromium release assays performed on cells cultured in this manner demonstrate a specific lysis of RM1 target cells. EL4 control target cells were not lysed. Again, the lytic activity was restricted to TNFα plus IL2 and TNFα plus IL12. These immunological data suggest that cytotoxic T lymphocytes are generated when tumors are treated with TNFα plus IL12.

The data provided clearly show effective antitumor activity with selected cytokine vectors. The role of immune-effector cells is unclear. Vectors combined with TNFα all appear to be effective in inhibiting tumor outgrowth in immune-deficient mice (SCID mice). In normal mice, cytotoxic T Lymphocytes are activated by TNFα plus IL2 and TNFα plus IL12. These in vitro data suggest that an immune component may be functional and protection.

Prostrate Immunotherapy

Rationale. Prostate cancer is the most common visceral cancer and the second-leading cause of death from cancer in men in the United States. Definitive treatment of prostate cancer is limited to radical surgery for localized disease. Locally invasive and metastatic prostate cancer is treated in a palliative manner by oral estrogen or orchiectomy. The appearance of hormone independent cancer denoted tumor progression for which no treatment is available. In this study we activate an immune response to prostate tumor cells that eliminate both hormone sensitive and insensitive prostate cancer. An immune response to prostate associated antigens can be induced that will target immunoreactive cells to prostate cancer and result in tumor destruction. In these studies we activate the immune response by producing immuno-modulatory cytokines in tumor cells. This was accomplished by infecting tumor cells with recombinant viral constructs (ALVAC or NYVAC) expressing various cytokines. These vectors activate immunoreactive cells (both specific and nonspecific) that will destroy prostate tumor cells. The activation of such a response eliminate locals as well metastatic tumors.

Prostate Immunotherapy. The development of immunotherapy for prostate cancer is in its infancy. Sandra and associates demonstrated the effectiveness of immunizing with gene transfected prostate tumor cells in the Dunning rat prostate cancer model.

Studies in an animal model demonstrate that immunization against autologous prostate antigens can be induced and expressed specifically in the prostate.(Keetch, et al., 1994) Moreover, clinical studies show autoimmune reactivity to PSA in patients with symptomatic non-bacterial prostatitis. Thus, immune reactivity to prostate antigens such as PSA can be initiated with appropriated immunization protocols. These data suggest that immunoreactive immune cells capable of responding to prostate tumors can be developed.

Tumor Model. The RM1 (previously called MPR31-4) transplantable prostate tumor was obtained from Dr. Timothy Thompson (Baylor College of Medicine). The tumor is an oncogene transformed line developed as described. (Thompson, et al., 1989) Studies have established the RM1 model as an appropriate model for immunotherapy studies. The tumor is weakly immunogenic in that the pre immunization with irradiated tumor cells does not confer protection against subsequent tumor challenge. Tumors are maintained as cell lines in vitro.

Mice. Male mice (C57bl/6), syngeneic to the RM1 tumor, were purchased from Charles River, Inc. at 6-8 weeks of age. Upon arrival the mice are allowed to acclimate a minimum of 2 days prior to use. They are provided with food ad water ad libitum. Viral Vectors. The canary pos virus, ALVAC, which is non-replicative in primates, was used in the studies described below. The following constructs were tested:

ALVAC

Parental (CPpp)

Mu-IL2 (vCP275)

MU-IFNγ (cCP271)

HU-TNFα (vCP245)

Mu-B7 (vCP268)

Mu-IL-12 (vCP1303)

Mu-GMCSF (vP1277)

Virus is maintained at −70° C. until used.

Infection of tumor cells with virus. RM1 cells are removed from tissue culture flasks with 10 mM EDTA treatment for 10 minutes. The cells were washed three times with phosphate buffered saline (PBS; 0.1 M, pH 72.) The cells were resuspended to the desired concentration in DME (Washington University media Center) supplemented with 10 mM HEPES buffer, pH7.0. Viral vectors were thawed and diluted in the same medium added to the cells. The cultures were incubated at 37 C. for 5 hours, washed three times and injected in mice or were tested for cytokine production in vitro.

Tumor Inhibition Studies. Tumors treated as described above are injected subcutaneously at a concentration of 5×10⁵ cells per mouse. Each group consisted of 5 mice. The outgrowth of the tumor is monitored twice a week for extended periods (see data for times). Twice a week tumors are measured at their widest and narrowest regions. Tumor volume was calculated and mean values for each treatment group is reported. Mice were sacrificed for humane reasons at varying times depending on the rate of tumor growth. Thus the data reported for some experimental groups has reduced time intervals.

Results

Evaluation of IL2 production by varying virus-to-cell ratios. MPR31-4 cells were infected with varying numbers of ALVAC-IL2. MPR31-4 (10⁶) cells were exposed to virus as described above. Cells were incubated for 24 hours and supernatants were collected and measured for IL2. The results are shown in FIG. 60.

The data show equivalent production of IL2 by all infection ratios. Thus all subsequent experiments were performed using the 5:1 ratio.

Antitumor Effects of ALVAC Cytokine vectors. The effects of ALVAC-IL2, -IFNγ, -TNFα, and B7 were compared in an in vivo antitumor study. MPR31-4 tumor cells were infected with virus as described above and implanted in syngeneic mice. The results are shown below (FIG. 61).

The size of tumors for the parental and tumor only groups were not significantly different. In contrast, all ALVAC cytokine vectors were significantly smaller (P<0.016) when compared to the tumor only group. Only TNFα was significantly (p<0.016) smaller than the parental group.

Effect of Combination Therapy with ALVAC IL2 and TNFα. Studies were initiated to test the effects of ALVAC-IL2 in combination with ALVAC-TNFa. Both IL2 and TNFα significantly (p<0.0001) inhibited MPR31-4 outgrowth. The results are shown in FIG. 62.

The reason for the increased activity in this experiment is not known. As in previous experiments, TNFα showed significant (P,0.0001) inhibitory activity. Combination therapy with ALVAC-IL2 and ALVAC-TNFα showed enhanced antitumor activity. Of 5 mice treated with combination therapy, 3 developed tumor by day 7; however, all tumors regresse to undetectable levels by day 18. These animals were followed for 50 days without tumor regrowth. The remaining 2 mice developed tumors by day 21 that grew progressively but at a reduced rate throughout the remainder of the experiment. Preliminary tests for the presence or cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity were negative (data not shown). Flow cytometry studies demonstrated the expression of MHC Class on MPR31-4 cells.

Conclusions

ALVAC-IL2 and ALVAC-TNFα were observed to mediate antitumor activity against the MPR31-4 prostate tumor model. Combination therapy with ALVAC0-IL2 and ALVAC-TNFα provided optimal results with 3 mice experiencing tumor regression after initial tumor outgrowth. These mice did not develop subsequent tumors suggesting complete remission.

Example 35 Bladder Cancer Studies

Rationale. In 1993 there will be more than 50, 000 new cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder cancer diagnosed in the United States. (Boring, et al. 1992) Approximately 80% of the new cases are superficial at initial diagnosis. After treatment by transuretheral surgical intervention, 40-80% of the new cases are superficial at initial diagnosis. After treatment by transurethral surgical intervention, 40-80% of the patients will suffer recurrent tumor within 3 years and 15-30% of these patients will develop invasive or metastatic disease (Althausen, et al. 1976; Fitzpatrick, et al., 1986; Gilbert, et al., 1978).

The current treatment for invasive bladder cancer is surgery with adjuvant radiation of chemotherapy. The response to this combined therapy approximate 50%.(Goffinet, et al.; van der Werf-Messing, 1978) Superficial bladder cancer is treated with adjuvant intavesical Mycobacterium bovis strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) (Lamm, et al., 1991). While BCG is the most effective treatment for superficial bladder cancer, only approximately 70% of patients respond and treatment is not efficacious for muscle-invasive cancer. In addition, the instillation of viable bacteria into the bladder is not without risk. Systemic complications associated with the use of viable BCG are potentially serious.(Lamm, et al., 1989) Dissemination of bacteria in the form of pneumonitis, hepatitis, epididymitis/orchitis, renal abscess and granulomatous prostatitis have been observed. At least 7 deaths have been attributed to BCG sepsis after intravesical therapy. Recent unpublished studis suggest that efficacy can be increased by increasing the treatment number. The increase risk associated with the proposed enhanced treatment regimen and the lack of efficacy for muscle-invasive disease warrant the pursuit of alternative therapies.

These studies test the efficacy of ALVAC and NYVAC vectors carrying cytokine genes as a means of treating either or both superficial and invasive bladder cancer.

Tumor Model. The well characterized bladder tumor mode, MBT2, was used in these studies. Previous studies by us and others have shown this model to be predictive of the clinical response to the tested agent.

Mice. Female mice (C3H/He), syngeneic to the MBT2 tumor, were purchased from Charles River, In. at 6-8 weeks of age. Upon arrival the mice are allowed to acclimate a minimum of 2 days prior to use. They are provided with food and water ad libitum.

Viral Vectors. The canary pox virus, ALVAC, and the genetically modifie vaccinia virus, NYVAC, both of which are non-replicative in primates, were used in the studies described below. The following recombinants were tested:

ALVAC NYVAC Parental (CPpp) Parental (vP866) Mu-IL2 (vCP275) Mu-IL2 (vP1239) MU-IFNγ (vCP271) Hu-TNFα (vCP245) Mu-B7 (vCP268)

Virus is maintained at −70 C. until used.

Infection of tumor cells with virus. MBT2 cells are removed from tissue culture flasks with 10 mM EDTA treatment for 10 minutes. The cells were washed three times with phosphate buffered saline (PBS; 0.1 M, PH 7.2). The cells were resuspended to the desired concentration in DME (Washington University Media Center) supplemented with 10 mM HEPES buffer, PH 7.0. Viral vectors were thawed and diluted in the same medium and added to the cells. The cultures were incubated at 37° C. for 5 hours, washed treet times and injected in mice or were tested for cytokine production in vitro.

Tumor Inhibition Studies. Tumor cells treated as described above are injected subcutaneously at a concentration of 10⁵ cells per mouse. Each group consisted of 5 mice. The outgrowth of the tumors was monitored twice a week for extended periods (see data for times). Once a week mice were examined for tumor growth. Mice were sacrificed for human reasons at varying times depending on the rate of tumor growth. The data reported show tumor incidence. In initial experiments, mice were followed for 81 days without change in the tumor incidence recorded at day 39. Initial studies were performed to determine the appropriate virus: tumor infectivity ratio and to compare the level and longevity of IL2 production by ALVAC and NYVAC (FIG. 63). ALVAC-IL2 and NYVAC-IL2 were used as representative test recombinants. The data showed that both ALVAC-IL2 and NYVAC-IL2 induced high and comparable levels of IL2 in infected MBT2 cells. ALVAC produced IL2 for longer time intervals and therefore, was selected for the initial studies. Additional preliminary studies were performed to assess the level of expression of the co-stimulatory molecule, B7, in MBT2 bladder tumor cells after infection with ALVAC-B7 (FIG. 64). The data show good expression of B7 at this infectivity ratio. Subsequent studies were performed with MBT2 infected as shown in FIG. 64.

Initial therapy studies were performed to assess the potential of ALVAC-IL2 as a therapeutic agent for bladder cancer. These studies were performed with ALVAC-IL2 treated with varying virus: tumor cell infectivity ratios as described in the materials and methods section above. Mice were injected with 10⁵ MBT2 cells treated previously with ALVAC IL2 (vCP275) or ALVAC-parental (CPpp). The data show that all infectivity ratios were effective in inhibiting MBT2 growth (FIG. 65). No tumor growth was observed with infectivity ratios of 5:1, 10:1 or 20:1.

Subsequent studies were performed with infectivity ratios of 5:1. The absence of tumor growth at these ALVAC-IL2:MBT2 ratios has been observed in multiple experiments.

Subsequent studies were performed to determine the effects of ALVAC-IL2 treatment on the growth of MBT2 after re-challenge. Mice were injected with ALVAC-IL2 treated MBT2 cells as shown in FIG. 65. Additional groups included mice immunized with irradiated MBT2 (2×10⁶ cells), IL2 transfected MBT2 cells (2×10⁶ cells, Obtained from Dr. W D W Heston, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, NY) (Conner, et al., 1993), ALVAC-B7 (vCP268) and parental ALVAC. Mice were injected subcutaneously and re-challenged 14 days later with 5×10⁵ MBT2 cells by the same route (FIG. 66). The data show that neither irradiated MBT2 parental ALVAC, nor ALVAC-B7 provided protection. In contrast, ALVAC-IL2, ALVAC-IL2 plus ALVAC-B7, and IL2 transfected MBT2 were protected by prior treatment. Mice were followed for 81 days without tumor growth. In previous experiments both 10⁴ and 5×10⁴ challenge doses for ALVAC-IL2 were used with the same results (data not shown).

Conclusions. The data show that ALVAC-IL2 is efficacious in inhibiting the outgrowth of tumors treated with ALVAC-IL2 recombinants. Also exposure to ALVAC-IL2 treated tumors is sufficient to induce protective immunity against subsequent challenge with untreated tumor cells. These data suggest that IL2 supplementation is sufficient to induce immunity to MBT2 tumors that otherwise would not be initiated as shown by the irradiated immunization controls (FIG. 66) and in transplantation resistance studies in which tumors were surgically removed prior to re-challenge (data not shown). Moreover, the protection observed with ALVAC-IL2 was equal to that observed with IL transfected MBT2 cells. Neither inhibition of MBT2 tumor growth nor inhibition of growth at re-challenge were observed with ALVAC-B7 infected MBT2 cells.

Having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

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217 20 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 1 TAATTAACTA GCTACCCGGG 20 28 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 2 GTACATTAAT TGATCGATGG GCCCTTAA 28 73 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 3 AGCTTCCCGG GTAAGTAATA CGTCAAGGAG AAAACGAAAC GATCTGTAGT TAGCGGCCGC 60 CTAATTAACT AAT 73 69 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 4 AGGGCCCATT CATTATGCAG TTCCTCTTTT GCTTTGCTAG ACATCAATCG CCGGCGGATT 60 AATTGATTA 69 20 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 5 TTAGTTAATT AGGCGGCCGC 20 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 6 CGATTACTAT GAAGGATCCG TT 22 20 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 7 TAATGATACT TCCTAGGCAA 20 41 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 8 CGATTACTAG ATCTGAGCTC CCCGGGCTCG AGGGATCCGT T 41 39 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 9 TAATGATCTA GACTCGAGGG GCCCGAGCTC CCTAGGCAA 39 16 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 10 GATCCGAATT CTAGCT 16 12 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 11 GCTTAAGATC GA 12 75 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 12 TATGAGTAAC TTAACTCTTT TGTTAATTAA AAGTATATTC AAAAAATAAG TTATATAAAT 60 AGATCTGAAT TCGTT 75 73 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 13 ACTCATTGAA TTGAGAAAAC AATTAATTTT CATATAAGTT TTTTATTCAA TATATTTATC 60 TAGACTTAAG CAA 73 49 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 14 AAAATGGGCG TGGATTGTTA ACTTTATATA ACTTATTTTT TGAATATAC 49 67 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 15 ACACGAATGA TTTTCTAAAG TATTTGGAAA GTTTTATAGG TAGTTGATAG AACAAAATAC 60 ATAATTT 67 51 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 16 TGTGCTTACT AAAAGATTTC ATAAACCTTT CAAAATATCC ATCAACTATC T 51 46 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 17 TGTAAAAATA AATCACTTTT TATACTAAGA TCTCCCGGGC TGCAGC 46 66 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 18 TGTTTTATGT ATTAAAACAT TTTTATTTAG TGAAAAATAT GATTCTAGAG GGCCCGACGT 60 CGCCGG 66 50 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 19 TTTCTGTATA TTTGCACCAA TTTAGATCTT ACTCAAAATA TGTAACAATA 50 44 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 20 TGTCATTTAA CACTATACTC ATATTAATAA AAATAATATT TATT 44 72 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 21 GATCCTGAGT ACTTTGTAAT ATAATGATAT ATATTTTCAC TTTATCTCAT TTGAGAATAA 60 AAAGATCTTA GG 72 72 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 22 GACTCATGAA ACATTATATT ACTATATATA AAAGTGAAAT AGAGTAAACT CTTATTTTTC 60 TAGAATCCTT AA 72 72 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 23 GATCCAGATC TCCCGGGAAA AAAATTATTT AACTTTTCAT TAATAGGGAT TTGACGTATG 60 TAGCGTACTA GG 72 72 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 24 GTCTAGAGGG CCCTTTTTTT AATAAATTGA AAAGTAATTA TCCCTAAACT GCATACTACG 60 CATGATCCTT AA 72 40 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 25 GGGAGATCTC TCGAGCTGCA GGGCGCCGGA TCCTTTTTCT 40 40 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 26 CCCTCTAGAG AGCTCGACGT CCCGCGGCCT AGGAAAAAGA 40 59 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 27 CGATATCCGT TAAGTTTGTA TCGTAATGGG CTCCAGATCT TCTACCAGGA TCCCGGTAC 59 55 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 28 CGGGATCCTG GTAGAAGATC TGGAGCCCAT TACGATACAA ACTTAACGGA TATCG 55 17 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 29 AATTCGAGCT CCCCGGG 17 13 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 30 CCCGGGGAGC TCG 13 26 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 31 CTTTTTATAA AAAGTTAACT ACGTAG 26 34 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 32 GATCCTACGT AGTTAACTTT TTATAAAAAG AGCT 34 20 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 33 CTTAACTCAG CTGACTATCC 20 44 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 34 TACGTAGTTA ACTTTTTATA AAAATCATAT TTTTGTAGTG GCTC 44 67 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 35 AATTCAGGAT CGTTCCTTTA CTAGTTGAGA TTCTCAAGGA TGATGGGATT TAATTTTTAT 60 AAGCTTG 67 67 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 36 AATTCAAGCT TATAAAAATT AAATCCCATC ATCCTTGAGA ATCTCAACTA GTAAAGGAAC 60 GATCCTG 67 68 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 37 CTAGACACTT TATGTTTTTT AATATCCGGT CTTAAAAGCT TCCCGGGGAT CCTTATACGG 60 GGAATAAT 68 65 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 38 ATTATTCCCC GTATAAGGAT CCCCCGGGAA GCTTTTAAGA CCGGATATTA AAAAACATAA 60 AGTGT 65 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 39 GCTTCCCGGG AATTCTAGCT AGCTAGTTT 29 46 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 40 ACTCTCAAAA GCTTCCCGGG AATTCTAGCT AGCTAGTTTT TATAAA 46 50 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 41 GATCTTTATA AAAACTAGCT AGCTAGAATT CCCGGGAAGC TTTTGAGAGT 50 71 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 42 CTGAAATTAT TTCATTATCG CGATATCCGT TAAGTTTGTA TCGTAATGGT TCCTCAGGCT 60 CTCCTGTTTG T 71 48 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 43 CATTACGATA CAAACTTAAC GGATATCGCG ATAATGAAAT AATTTCAG 48 73 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 44 ACCCCTTCTG GTTTTTCCGT TGTGTTTTGG GAAATTCCCT ATTTACACGA TCCCAGACAA 60 GCTTAGATCT CAG 73 51 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 45 CTGAGATCTA AGCTTGTCTG GGATCGTGTA AATAGGGAAT TTCCCAAAAC A 51 45 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 46 CAACGGAAAA ACCAGAAGGG GTACAAACAG GAGAGCCTGA GGAAC 45 11 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 47 GGATCCCCGG G 11 60 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 48 TCATTATCGC GATATCCGTG TTAACTAGCT AGCTAATTTT TATTCCCGGG ATCCTTATCA 60 60 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 49 GTATAAGGAT CCCGGGAATA AAAATTAGCT AGCTAGTTAA CACGGATATC GCGATAATGA 60 24 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 50 GACAATCTAA GTCCTATATT AGAC 24 18 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 51 GGATTTTTAG GTAGACAC 18 18 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 52 TCATCGTCTT CATCATCG 18 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 53 GTCTTAAACT TATTGTAAGG GTATACCTG 29 61 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 54 AACGATTAGT TAGTTACTAA AAGCTTGCTG CAGCCCGGGT TTTTTATTAG TTTAGTTAGT 60 C 61 60 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 55 GACTAACTAA CTAATAAAAA ACCCGGGCTG CAGCAAGCTT TTTGTAACTA ACTAATCGTT 60 99 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 56 GCACGGAACA AAGCTTATCG CGATATCCGT TAAGTTTGTA TCGTAATGCT ATCAATCACG 60 ATTCTGTTCC TGCTCATAGC AGAGGGCTCA TCTCAGAAT 99 99 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 57 ATTCTGAGAT GAGCCCTCTG CTATGAGCAG GAACAGAATC GTGATTGATA GCATTACGAT 60 ACAAACTTAA CGGATATCGC GATAAGCTTT GTTCCGTGC 99 66 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 58 GAAAAATTTA AAGTCGACCT GTTTTGTTGA GTTGTTTGCG TGGTAACCAA TGCAAATCTG 60 GTCACT 66 66 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 59 TCTAGCAAGA CTGACTATTG CAAAAAGAAG CACTATTTCC TCCATTACGA TACAAACTTA 60 ACGGAT 66 87 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 60 ATCCGTTAAG TTTGTATCGT AATGGAGGAA ATAGTGCTTC TTTTTGCAAT AGTCAGTCTT 60 GCTAGAAGTG ACCAGATTTG CATTGGT 87 49 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 61 TACCACGCAA ACAACTCAAC AAAACAGGTC GACTTTAAAT TTTTCTGCA 49 132 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 62 GTACAGGTCG ACAAGCTTCC CGGGTATCGC GATATCCGTT AAGTTTGTAT CGTAATGAAT 60 ACTCAAATTC TAATACTCAC TCTTGTGGCA GCCATTCACA CAAATGCAGA CAAAATCTGC 120 CTTGGACATC AT 132 132 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 63 ATGATGTCCA AGGCAGATTT TGTCTGCATT TGTGTGAATG GCTGCCACAA GAGTGAGTAT 60 TAGAATTTGA GTATTCATTA CGATACAAAC TTAACGGATA TCGCGATACC CGGGAAGCTT 120 GTCGACCTGT AC 132 51 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 64 ATAACATGCG GTGCACCATT TGTATATAAG TTAACGAATT CCAAGTCAAG C 51 51 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 65 GCTTGACTTG GAATTCGTTA ACTTATATAC AAATGGTGCA CCGCATGTTA T 51 55 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 66 ATCATCTCGC GATATCCGTT AAGTTTGTAT CGTAATGAGC ACTGAAAGCA TGATC 55 37 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 67 ATCATCTCTA GAATAAAAAT CACAGGGCAA TGATCCC 37 3209 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 68 TGAATGTTAA ATGTTATACT TTGGATGAAG CTATAAATAT GCATTGGAAA AATAATCCAT 60 TTAAAGAAAG GATTCAAATA CTACAAAACC TAAGCGATAA TATGTTAACT AAGCTTATTC 120 TTAACGACGC TTTAAATATA CACAAATAAA CATAATTTTT GTATAACCTA ACAAATAACT 180 AAAACATAAA AATAATAAAA GGAAATGTAA TATCGTAATT ATTTTACTCA GGAATGGGGT 240 TAAATATTTA TATCACGTGT ATATCTATAC TGTTATCGTA TACTCTTTAC AATTACTATT 300 ACGAATATGC AAGAGATAAT AAGATTACGT ATTTAAGAGA ATCTTGTCAT GATAATTGGG 360 TACGACATAG TGATAAATGC TATTTCGCAT CGTTACATAA AGTCAGTTGG AAAGATGGAT 420 TTGACAGATG TAACTTAATA GGTGCAAAAA TGTTAAATAA CAGCATTCTA TCGGAAGATA 480 GGATACCAGT TATATTATAC AAAAATCACT GGTTGGATAA AACAGATTCT GCAATATTCG 540 TAAAAGATGA AGATTACTGC GAATTTGTAA ACTATGACAA TAAAAAGCCA TTTATCTCAA 600 CGACATCGTG TAATTCTTCC ATGTTTTATG TATGTGTTTC AGATATTATG AGATTACTAT 660 AAACTTTTTG TATACTTATA TTCCGTAAAC TATATTAATC ATGAAGAAAA TGAAAAAGTA 720 TAGAAGCTGT TCACGAGCGG TTGTTGAAAA CAACAAAATT ATACATTCAA GATGGCTTAC 780 ATATACGTCT GTGAGGCTAT CATGGATAAT GACAATGCAT CTCTAAATAG GTTTTTGGAC 840 AATGGATTCG ACCCTAACAC GGAATATGGT ACTCTACAAT CTCCTCTTGA AATGGCTGTA 900 ATGTTCAAGA ATACCGAGGC TATAAAAATC TTGATGAGGT ATGGAGCTAA ACCTGTAGTT 960 ACTGAATGCA CAACTTCTTG TCTGCATGAT GCGGTGTTGA GAGACGACTA CAAAATAGTG 1020 AAAGATCTGT TGAAGAATAA CTATGTAAAC AATGTTCTTT ACAGCGGAGG CTTTACTCCT 1080 TTGTGTTTGG CAGCTTACCT TAACAAAGTT AATTTGGTTA AACTTCTATT GGCTCATTCG 1140 GCGGATGTAG ATATTTCAAA CACGGATCGG TTAACTCCTC TACATATAGC CGTATCAAAT 1200 AAAAATTTAA CAATGGTTAA ACTTCTATTG AACAAAGGTG CTGATACTGA CTTGCTGGAT 1260 AACATGGGAC GTACTCCTTT AATGATCGCT GTACAATCTG GAAATATTGA AATATGTAGC 1320 ACACTACTTA AAAAAAATAA AATGTCCAGA ACTGGGAAAA ATTGATCTTG CCAGCTGTAA 1380 TTCATGGTAG AAAAGAAGTG CTCAGGCTAC TTTTCAACAA AGGAGCAGAT GTAAACTACA 1440 TCTTTGAAAG AAATGGAAAA TCATATACTG TTTTGGAATT GATTAAAGAA AGTTACTCTG 1500 AGACACAAAA GAGGTAGCTG AAGTGGTACT CTCAAAATGC AGAACGATGA CTGCGAAGCA 1560 AGAAGTAGAG AAATAACACT TTATGACTTT CTTAGTTGTA GAAAAGATAG AGATATAATG 1620 ATGGTCATAA ATAACTCTGA TATTGCAAGT AAATGCAATA ATAAGTTAGA TTTATTTAAA 1680 AGGATAGTTA AAAATAGAAA AAAAGAGTTA ATTTGTAGGG TTAAAATAAT ACATAAGATC 1740 TTAAAATTTA TAAATACGCA TAATAATAAA AATAGATTAT ACTTATTACC TTCAGAGATA 1800 AAATTTAAGA TATTTACTTA TTTAACTTAT AAAGATCTAA AATGCATAAT TTCTAAATAA 1860 TGAAAAAAAA GTACATCATG AGCAACGCGT TAGTATATTT TACAATGGAG ATTAACGCTC 1920 TATACCGTTC TATGTTTATT GATTCAGATG ATGTTTTAGA AAAGAAAGTT ATTGAATATG 1980 AAAACTTTAA TGAAGATGAA GATGACGACG ATGATTATTG TTGTAAATCT GTTTTAGATG 2040 AAGAAGATGA CGCGCTAAAG TATACTATGG TTACAAAGTA TAAGTCTATA CTACTAATGG 2100 CGACTTGTGC AAGAAGGTAT AGTATAGTGA AAATGTTGTT AGATTATGAT TATGAAAAAC 2160 CAAATAAATC AGATCCATAT CTAAAGGTAT CTCCTTTGCA CATAATTTCA TCTATTCCTA 2220 GTTTAGAATA CTTTTCATTA TATTTGTTTA CAGCTGAAGA CGAAAAAAAT ATATCGATAA 2280 TAGAAGATTA TGTTAACTCT GCTAATAAGA TGAAATTGAA TGAGTCTGTG ATAATAGCTA 2340 TAATCAGAGA AGTTCTAAAA GGAAATAAAA ATCTAACTGA TCAGGATATA AAAACATTGG 2400 CTGATGAAAT CAACAAGGAG GAACTGAATA TAGCTAAACT ATTGTTAGAT AGAGGGGCCA 2460 AAGTAAATTA CAAGGATGTT TACGGTTCTT CAGCTCTCCA TAGAGCTGCT ATTGGTAGGA 2520 AACAGGATAT GATAAAGCTG TTAATCGATC ATGGAGCTGA TGTAAACTCT TTAACTATTG 2580 CTAAAGATAA TCTTATTAAA AAAAAATAAT ATCACGTTTA GTAATATTAA AATATATTAA 2640 TAACTCTATT ACTAATAACT CCAGTGGATA TGAACATAAT ACGAAGTTTA TACATTCTCA 2700 TCAAAATCTT ATTGACATCA AGTTAGATTG TGAAAATGAG ATTATGAAAT TAAGGAATAC 2760 AAAAATAGGA TGTAAGAACT TACTAGAATG TTTTATCAAT AATGATATGA ATACAGTATC 2820 TAGGGCTATA AACAATGAAA CGATTAAAAA TTATAAAAAT CATTTCCCTA TATATAATAC 2880 GCTCATAGAA AAATTCATTT CTGAAAGTAT ACTAAGACAC GAATTATTGG ATGGAGTTAT 2940 AAATTCTTTT CAAGGATTCA ATAATAAATT GCCTTACGAG ATTCAGTACA TTATACTGGA 3000 GAATCTTAAT AACCATGAAC TAAAAAAAAT TTTAGATAAT ATACATTAAA AAGGTAAATA 3060 GATCATCTGT TATTATAAGC AAAGATGCTT GTTGCCAATA ATATACAACA GGTATTTGTT 3120 TTTATTTTTA ACTACATATT TGATGTTCAT TCTCTTTATA TAGTATACAC AGAAAATTCA 3180 TAATCCACTT AGAATTTCTA GTTATCTAG 3209 34 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 69 ATCATCGAAT TCTGAATGTT AAATGTTATA CTTG 34 28 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 70 GGGGGTACCT TTGAGAGTAC CACTTCAG 28 44 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 71 GGGTCTAGAG CGGCCGCTTA TAAAGATCTA AAATGCATAA TTTC 44 35 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 72 ATCATCCTGC AGGTATTCTA AACTAGGAAT AGATG 35 82 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 73 GTACGTGACT AATTAGCTAT AAAAAGGATC CGGTACCCTC GAGTCTAGAA TCGATCCCGG 60 GTTTTTATGA CTAGTTAATC AC 82 82 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 74 GGCCGTGATT AACTAGTCAT AAAAACCCGG GATCGATTCT AGACTCGAGG GTACCGGATC 60 CTTTTTATAG CTAATTAGTC AC 82 39 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 75 TCGGGATCCG GGTTAATTAA TTAGTCATCA GGCAGGGCG 39 40 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 76 TAGCTCGAGG GTACCTACGA TACAAACTTA ACGGATATCG 40 3659 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 77 GATATCTGTG GTCTATATAT ACTACACCCT ACCGATATTA ACCAACGAGT TTCTCACAAG 60 AAAACTTGTT TAGTAGATAG AGATTCTTTG ATTGTGTTTA AAAGAAGTAC CAGTAAAAAG 120 TGTGGCATAT GCATAGAAGA AATAAACAAA AAACATATTT CCGAACAGTA TTTTGGAATT 180 CTCCCAAGTT GTAAACATAT TTTTTGCCTA TCATGTATAA GACGTTGGGC AGATACTACC 240 AGAAATACAG ATACTGAAAA TACGTGTCCT GAATGTAGAA TAGTTTTTCC TTTCATAATA 300 CCCAGTAGGT ATTGGATAGA TAATAAATAT GATAAAAAAA TATTATATAA TAGATATAAG 360 AAAATGATTT TTACAAAAAT ACCTATAAGA ACAATAAAAA TATAATTACA TTTACGGAAA 420 ATAGCTGGTT TTAGTTTACC AACTTAGAGT AATTATCATA TTGAATCTAT ATTGTTTTTT 480 AGTTATATAA AAACATGATT AGCCCCCAAT CGGATGAAAA TATAAAAGAT GTTGAGAATT 540 TCGAATACAA CAAAAAGAGG AATCGTACGT TGTCCATATC CAAACATATA AATAAAAATT 600 CAAAAGTAGT ATTATACTGG ATGTTTAGAG ATCAACGTGT ACAAGATAAT TGGGCTTTAA 660 TTTACGCACA ACGATTAGCG TTAAAACTCA AAATACCTCT AAGAATATGC TTTTGTGTCG 720 TGCCAAAATT TCACACTACT ACTTCTAGAC ACTTTATGTT TTTAATATCC GGTCTTAAAG 780 AAGTCGCGGA AGAATGTAAA AGACTATGTA TAGGGTTTTC ATTGATATAT GGCGTACCAA 840 AAGTAATAAT TCCGTGTATA GTAAAAAAAT ACAGAGTCGG AGTAATCATA ACGGATTTCT 900 TTCCATTACG TGTTCCCGAA AGATTAATGA AACAGACTGT AATATCTCTT CCAGATAACA 960 TACCTTTTAT ACAAGTAGAC GCTCATAATA TAGTACCTTG TTGGGAAGCT TCTGATAAAG 1020 AAGAATACGG TGCACGAACT TTAAGAAAAA AGATATTTGA TAAATTATAT GAATATATGA 1080 CAGAATTTCC TGTTGTTCGT AAACATCCAT ACGGTCCATT TTCTATATCT ATTGCAAAAC 1140 CCAAAAATAT ATCATTAGAC AAGACGGTAT TACCCGTAAA ATGGGCAACG CCTGGAACAA 1200 AAGCTGGAAT AATTGTTTTA AAAGAATTTA TAAAAAACAG ATTACCGTCA TACGACGCGG 1260 ATCATAACAA TCCTACGTGT GACGCTTTGA GTAACTTATC TCCGTGGCTA CATTTTGGTC 1320 ATGTATCCGC ACAACGTGTT GCCTTAGAAG TATTAAAATG TATACGAGAA AGCAAAAAAA 1380 ACGTTGAAAC GTTTATAGAT GAAATAATTG TAAGAAGAGA ACTATCGGAT AATTTTTGTT 1440 ACTATAACAA ACATTATGAT AGTATCCAGT CTACTCATTC ATGGGTTAGA AAAACATTAG 1500 AAGATCACAT TAATGATCCT AGAAAGTATA TATATTCCAT TAAACAACTC GAAAAAGCGG 1560 AAACTCATGA TCCTCTATGG AACGCGTCAC AAATGCAGAT GGTGAGAGAA GGAAAAATGC 1620 ATAGTTTTTT ACGAATGTAT TGGGCTAAGA AGATACTTGA ATGGACTAGA ACACCTGAAG 1680 ACGCTTTGAG TTATAGTATC TATTTGAACA ACAAGTACGA ACTAGACGGC ACGGATCCTA 1740 ACGGATACGT AGGTTGTATG TGGTCTATTT GCGGATTACA CGATAGAGCG TGGAAAGCAA 1800 GACCGATATT TGGAAAGATA AGATATATGA ATTATGAGAG TTCTAAGAAG AAATTTGATG 1860 TTGCTGTATT TATACAGAAA TACAATTAAG ATAAATAATA TACAGCATTG TAACCATCGT 1920 CATCCGTTAT ACGGGGAATA ATATTACCAT ACAGTATTAT TAAATTTTCT TACGAAGAAT 1980 ATAGATCGGT ATTTATCGTT AGTTTATTTT ACATTTATTA ATTAAACATG TCTACTATTA 2040 CCTGTTATGG AAATGACAAA TTTAGTTATA TAATTTATGA TAAAATTAAG ATAATAATAA 2100 TGAAATCAAA TAATTATGTA AATGCTACTA GATTATGTGA ATTACGAGGA AGAAAGTTTA 2160 CGAACTGGAA AAAATTAAGT GAATCTAAAA TATTAGTCGA TAATGTAAAA AAAATAAATG 2220 ATAAAACTAA CCAGTTAAAA ACGGATATGA TTATATACGT TAAGGATATT GATCATAAAG 2280 GAAGAGATAC TTGCGGTTAC TATGTACACC AAGATCTGGT ATCTTCTATA TCAAATTGGA 2340 TATCTCCGTT ATTCGCCGTT AAGGTAAATA AAATTATTAA CTATTATATA TGTAATGAAT 2400 ATGATATACG ACTTAGCGAA ATGGAATCTG ATATGACAGA AGTAATAGAT GTAGTTGATA 2460 AATTAGTAGG AGGATACAAT GATGAAATAG CAGAAATAAT ATATTTGTTT AATAAATTTA 2520 TAGAAAAATA TATTGCTAAC ATATCGTTAT CAACTGAATT ATCTAGTATA TTAAATAATT 2580 TTATAAATTT TATAAATTTT AATAAAAAAT ACAATAACGA CATAAAGATA TTTAATCTTT 2640 AATTCTTGAT CTGAAAAACA CATCTATAAA ACTAGATAAA AAGTTATTCG ATAAAGATAA 2700 TAATGAATCG AACGATGAAA AATTGGAAAC AGAAGTTGAT AAGCTAATTT TTTTCATCTA 2760 AATAGTATTA TTTTATTGAA GTACGAAGTT TTACGTTAGA TAAATAATAA AGGTCGATTT 2820 TTACTTTGTT AAATATCAAA TATGTCATTA TCTGATAAAG ATACAAAAAC ACACGGTGAT 2880 TATCAACCAT CTAACGAACA GATATTACAA AAAATACGTC GGACTATGGA AAACGAAGCT 2940 GATAGCCTCA ATAGAAGAAG CATTAAAGAA ATTGTTGTAG ATGTTATGAA GAATTGGGAT 3000 CATCCTCAAC GAAGAAATAG ATAAAGTTCT AAACTGGAAA AATGATACAT TAAACGATTT 3060 AGATCATCTA AATACAGATG ATAATATTAA GGAAATCATA CAATGTCTGA TTAGAGAATT 3120 TGCGTTTAAA AAGATCAATT CTATTATGTA TAGTTATGCT ATGGTAAAAC TCAATTCAGA 3180 TAACGAACAT TGAAAGATAA AATTAAGGAT TATTTTATAG AAACTATTCT TAAAGACAAA 3240 CGTGGTTATA AACAAAAGCC ATTACCCGGA TTGGAAACTA AAATACTAGA TAGTATTATA 3300 AGATTTTAAA AACATAAAAT TAATAGGTTT TTATAGATTG ACTTATTATA TACAATATGG 3360 ATAAAAGATA TATATCAACT AGAAAGTTGA ATGACGGATT CTTAATTTTA TATTATGATT 3420 CAATAGAAAT TATTGTCATG TCGTGTAATC ATTTTATAAA TATATCAGCG TTACTAGCTA 3480 AGAAAAACAA GGACTTTAAT GAATGGCTAA AGATAGAATC ATTTAGAGAA ATAATAGATA 3540 CTTTAGATAA AATTAATTAC GATCTAGGAC AACGATATTG TGAAGAACTT ACGGCGCATC 3600 ACATTCCAGT GTAATTATTG AGGTCAAAGC TAGTAACTTA ATAGATGACA GGACAGCTG 3659 2356 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 78 TGTCTGGACT AACTGATTTC ATGGAACAAT TTTCATCAAA AATATCAGTT ATACCTAGTT 60 CTACAAAGAC AGAACTTTGA TGTTATGTTT GTGTTTGTAT AGAAAATTTT GGGATACTAA 120 CTGATATTTC TGAATATTTC TGAATATTTC ATGTTACTTA CTTACTCCTA TCTTAGACGA 180 TAATAAAATT CGAGGCGTAA TATGTTTTTC CAAATATTTG AAATTCTTAT ACGTATCGGC 240 GAAGAAAAGT AACATACTAT AAGTGTTATG CAAGTAAGGT ATGTTAATGA TATTGGATTT 300 AATTTCATTG ACAATACATA TGTCCAAACA TTCCACTCGT AATTATGTAC GGAACGACTT 360 TAGTTAAATA CTTAGTCACA AAAAACTTAT GACTGTCATT ATCTGAAAAC GGTGATTCCC 420 ATAAATCAGA ATACTTAATA TTAAATAGAA TGCTCGCTTC TGGAGGTTTC CGGATACTAG 480 ATAACATATC TTCTGTATTA TAGTTTAATT CACTCATTTT ATTACATAAT ACAGTAACAT 540 CTCCCGAAAC CAATGATGTT ATATTAGATT TACTTACATA CTTCTTGTAA CTATCATGAA 600 TACGTTTGTT ATGATCTATA AAGAAGATGG ATGTATATTC TGTTCTAGAT AGCAAGTTCT 660 TTAAGTTATT CTTTGTCTGT ATTACTATCA TCGTCTTCAT CATCGTCTAA AGGTAGCATT 720 ATATAATAAA TCTAATAGTT GATTTCTCGA TCTATCAGTA CTCGCTTTCA ATAACATTTT 780 TACTATAAGC ATAATAGAAG GCGGTGATAT CACTATATTT TTATCGGGTA TTCTTTTAGT 840 AATTAGTTAG TTCGTAGAAT TTCGTAGAGA TAAAAGCCAA TTTGTTGTTG ATACTGCTTA 900 CGTTACTCAT GTTTCTTGTT TCTGTTAATT AACAGGTATA CCCTTACAAT AAGTTTAATT 960 AACTTTTAGG TTTTTGTGAA GAACTTTTAG CTTCTAGTTC CCTTATCCAT AATTGGGTCT 1020 TAGATCTAGA TTCTTCCCAT GTATAAAGGG GGACATACCC AAAATCTTTA AATGCTTTGT 1080 CCGTTTCTAT AGTAAATGTC GTACATTCCT TAATCAAAGT ATAAGGATTT AGTAAAGGCG 1140 TGTAAGAACA AATAGGTGAT AGTAATACTC TTAAACCTTT ATTAATATTA GCGATAAACC 1200 TTAAACACCA TAAAGGAAGA CATGTATTCC GTAGATCCAT CCCTAATTGA TTAAAGAAAT 1260 GCATGTTAAA ATCATGATAA TGTTCAGTAG GAGAGGTATC GTAACAGTAA TACACGTTAT 1320 TGCAGAGAGG ACTATGTTGA CCATTTTCTA TCATATTTCT TGCTGCTAAA ATATGCATCC 1380 AAGCTACGTT TCCTGCATAG ACTCTGCTAT GAAATACTTT ATCATCCGCA TATTTATACA 1440 TTTTCCTGCT TTTATACGAT CTTCTGTATA AAGTTTCTAG TACTGGACAG TATTCTCCGA 1500 AAACACCTAA TGGGCGTAGC GACAAGTGCA TAATCTAAGT CCTATATTAG ACATAGTACC 1560 GTTAGCTTCT AGTATATATT TCTCAGATAA CTTGTTTACT AAGAGGATAA GCCTCTTTAT 1620 GGTTAGATTG ATAATACGTA TTCTCGTTTC CTCTTATCAT CGCATCTCCG GAGAAAGTTA 1680 GGACCTACCG CAGAATAACT ACTCGTATAT ACTAAGACTC TTACGCCGTT ATACAGACAA 1740 GAATCTACTA CGTTCTTCGT TCCGTTGATA TTAACGTCCA TTATAGAGTC GTTAGTAAAC 1800 TTACCCGCTA CATCATTTAT CGAAGCAATA TGAATGACCA CATCTGCTGA TCTAAGCGCT 1860 TCGTCCAAAG TACTTTTATT TCTAACATCT CCAATCACGG GAACTATCTT TATTATATTA 1920 CATTTTTCTA CAAGATCTAG TAACCATTGG TCGATTCTAA TATCGTAAAC ACGAACTTCT 1980 TTTTAAAGAG GATTCGAACA AGATAAGATT ATTTATAATG TGTCTACCTA AAAATCCACA 2040 CCCTCCGGTT ACCACGTATA CTAGTGTACG CATTTTGAGT ATTAACTATA TAAGACCAAA 2100 ATTATATTTT CATTTTCTGT TATATTATAC TATATAATAA AAACAAATAA ATATACGAAT 2160 ATTATAAGAA ATTTAGAACA CGTTATTAAA GTATTGCCTT TTTTATTAAC GGCGTGTTCT 2220 TGTAATTGCC GTTTAGAATA GTCTTTATTT ACTTTAGATA ACTCTTCTAT CATAACCGTC 2280 TCCTTATTCC AATCTTCTTC AGAAGTACAT GAGTACTTAC CGAAGTTTAT CATCATAGAG 2340 ATTATATATG AAGAAA 2356 965 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 79 AAAAAGGATC CGGGTTAATT AATTAGTCAT CAGGCAGGGC GAGAACGAGA CTATCTGCTC 60 GTTAATTAAT TAGAGCTTCT TTATTCTATA CTTAAAAAGT GAAAATAAAT ACAAAGGTTC 120 TTGAGGGTTG TGTTAAATTG AAAGCGAGAA ATAATCATAA ATTATTTCAT TATCGCGATA 180 TCCGTTAAGT TTGTATCGTA ATGAGCACTG AAAGCATGAT CCGGGACGTG GAGCTGGCCG 240 AGGAGGCGCT CCCCAAGAAG ACAGGGGGGC CCCAGGGCTC CAGGCGGTGC TTGTTCCTCA 300 GCCTCTTCTC CTTCCTGATC GTGGCAGGCG CCACCACGCT CTTCTGCCTG CTGCACTTTG 360 GAGTGATCGG CCCCCAGAGG GAAGAGTCCC CCAGGGACCT CTCTCTAATC AGCCCTCTGG 420 CCCAGGCAGT CAGATCATCT TCTCGAACCC CGAGTGACAA GCCTGTAGCC CATGTTGTAG 480 CAAACCCTCA AGCTGAGGGG CAGCTCCAGT GGCTGAACCG CCGGGCCAAT GCCCTCCTGG 540 CCAATGGCGT GGAGCTGAGA GATAACCAGC TGGTGGTGCC ATCAGAGGGC CTGTACCTCA 600 TCTACTCCCA GGTCCTCTTC AAGGGCCAAG GCTGCCCCTC CACCCATGTG CTCCTCACCC 660 ACACCATCAG CCGCATCGCC GTCTCCTACC AGACCAAGGT CAACCTCCTC TCTGCCATCA 720 AGAGCCCCTG CCAGAGGGAG ACCCCAGAGG GGGCTGAGGC CAAGCCCTGG TATGAGCCCA 780 TCTATCTGGG AGGGGTCTTC CAGCTGGAGA AGGGTGACCG ACTCAGCGCT GAGATCAATC 840 GGCCCGACTA TCTCGACTTT GCCGAGTCTG GGCAGGTCTA CTTTGGGATC ATTGCCCTGT 900 GATTTTTATT CTAGAATCGA TCCCGGGTTT TTATGACTAG TTAATCACGG CCGCTTATAA 960 AGATC 965 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 80 ATCATCAAGC TTGATTCTTT ATTCTATAC 29 37 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 81 CATGCTTTCA GTGCTCATTA CGATACAAAC TTAACGG 37 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 82 TTAACGGATA TCGCGATAAT G 21 35 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 83 ACTACTAAGC TTCTTTATTC TATACTTAAA AAGTG 35 18 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 84 ATGAGCACTG AAAGCATG 18 44 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 85 GGGCTCAAGC TTGCGGCCGC TCATTAGACA AGCGAATGAG GGAC 44 62 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 86 AGATCTCCCG GGCTCGAGTA ATTAATTAAT TTTTATTACA CCAGAAAAGA CGGCTTGAGA 60 TC 62 64 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 87 TAATTACTCG AGCCCGGGAG ATCTAATTTA ATTTAATTTA TATAACTCAT TTTTTGAATA 60 TACT 64 45 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 88 TATCTCGAAT TCCCGCGGCT TTAAATGGAC GGAACTCTTT TCCCC 45 947 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 89 GATCTCAAGC CGTCTTTTCT GGTGTAATAA AAATTAATTA ATTACTCGAG CCCAGCTTGA 60 TTCTTTATTC TATACTTAAA AAGTGAAAAT AAATACAAAG GTTCTTGAGG GTTGTGTTAA 120 ATTGAAAGCG AGAAATAATC ATAAATTATT TCATTATCGC GATATCCGTT AAGTTTGTAT 180 CGTAATGAGC ACTGAAAGCA TGATCCGGGA CGTGGAGCTG GCCGAGGAGG CGCTCCCCAA 240 GAAGACAGGG GGGCCCCAGG GCTCCAGGCG GTGCTTGTTC CTCAGCCTCT TCTCCTTCCT 300 GATCGTGGCA GGCGCCACCA CGCTCTTCTG CCTGCTGCAC TTTGGAGTGA TCGGCCCCCA 360 GAGGGAAGAG TCCCCCAGGG ACCTCTCTCT AATCAGCCCT CTGGCCCAGG CAGTCAGATC 420 ATCTTCTCGA ACCCCGAGTG ACAAGCCTGT AGCCCATGTT GTAGCAAACC CTCAAGCTGA 480 GGGGCAGCTC CAGTGGCTGA ACCGCCGGGC CAATGCCCTC CTGGCCAATG GCGTGGAGCT 540 GAGAGATAAC CAGCTGGTGG TGCCATCAGA GGGCCTGTAC CTCATCTACT CCCAGGTCCT 600 CTTCAAGGGC CAAGGCTGCC CCTCCACCCA TGTGCTCCTC ACCCACACCA TCAGCCGCAT 660 CGCCGTCTCC TACCAGACCA AGGTCAACCT CCTCTCTGCC ATCAAGAGCC CCTGCCAGAG 720 GGAGACCCCA GAGGGGGCTG AGGCCAAGCC CTGGTATGAG CCCATCTATC TGGGAGGGGT 780 CTTCCAGCTG GAGAAGGGTG ACCGACTCAG CGCTGAGATC AATCGGCCCG ACTATCTCGA 840 CTTTGCCGAG TCTGGGCAGG TCTACTTTGG GATCATTGCC CTGTGATTTT TATTGGGAGA 900 TCTAATTTAA TTTAATTTAT ATAACTTATT TTTTGAATAT ACTTTTA 947 41 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 90 GATCTGACTG CGGCTCCTCC ATTACGATAC AAACTTAACG G 41 45 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 91 GTGGGTAAGG GAATTCGGAT CCCCGGGTTA ATTAATTAGT GATAC 45 34 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 92 GTTTGTATCG TAATGGAGGA GCCGCAGTCA GATC 34 57 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 93 CATTACGATA CAAACTTAAC GGATATCGCG ACGCGTTCAC ACAGGGCAGG TCTTGGC 57 49 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 94 TACTACCTCG AGCCCGGGAT AAAAAACGCG TTCAGTCTGA GTCAGGCCC 49 66 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 95 GTGTGAACGC GTCGCGATAT CCGTTAAGTT TGTATCGTAA TGCAGCTGCG TGGGCGTGAG 60 CGCTTC 66 33 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 96 ATCATCGGAT CCCCCGGGTT CTTTATTCTA TAC 33 66 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 97 AGAAAAATCA GTTAGCTAAG ATCTCCCGGG CTCGAGGGTA CCGGATCCTG ATTAGTTAAT 60 TTTTGT 66 70 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 98 GATCACAAAA ATTAACTAAT CAGGATCCGG TACCCTCGAG CCCGGGAGAT CTTAGCTAAC 60 TGATTTTTCT 70 1512 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 99 GATTAAAGAA AGTTACTCTG AGACACAAAA GAGGTAGCTG AAGTGGTACT CTCAAAGGTA 60 CCCCCGGGTT AATTAATTAG TCATCAGGCA GGGCGAGAAC GAGACTATCT GCTCGTTAAT 120 TAATTAGGTC GACGGATCCC CGGGTTCTTT ATTCTATACT TAAAAAGTGA AAATAAATAC 180 AAAGGTTCTT GAGGGTTGTG TTAAATTGAA AGCGAGAAAT AATCATAAAT TATTTCATTA 240 TCGCGATATC CGTTAAGTTT GTATCGTAAT GGAGGAGCCG CAGTCAGATC CTAGCGTCGA 300 GCCCCCTCTG AGTCAGGAAA CATTTTCAGA CCTATGGAAA CTACTTCCTG AAAACAACGT 360 TCTGTCCCCC TTGCCGTCCC AAGCAATGGA TGATTTGATG CTGTCCCCGG ACGATATTGA 420 ACAATGGTTC ACTGAAGACC CAGGTCCAGA TGAAGCTCCC AGAATGCCAG AGGCTGCTCC 480 CCGCGTGGCC CCTGCACCAG CAGCTCCTAC ACCGGCGGCC CCTGCACCAG CCCCCTCCTG 540 GCCCCTGTCA TCTTCTGTCC CTTCCCAGAA AACCTACCAG GGCAGCTACG GTTTCCGTCT 600 GGGCTTCTTG CATTCTGGGA CAGCCAAGTC TGTGACTTGC ACGTACTCCC CTGCCCTCAA 660 CAAGATGTTT TGCCAACTGG CCAAGACCTG CCCTGTGCAG CTGTGGGTTG ATTCCACACC 720 CCCGCCCGGC ACCCGCGTCC GCGCCATGGC CATCTACAAG CAGTCACAGC ACATGACGGA 780 GGTTGTGAGG CGCTGCCCCC ACCATGAGCG CTGCTCAGAT AGCGATGGTC TGGCCCCTCC 840 TCAGCATCTT ATCCGAGTGG AAGGAAATTT GCGTGTGGAG TATTTGGATG ACAGAAACAC 900 TTTTCGACAT AGTGTGGTGG TGCCCTATGA GCCGCCTGAG GTTGGCTCTG ACTGTACCAC 960 CATCCACTAC AACTACATGT GTAACAGTTC CTGCATGGGC GGCATGAACC GGAGGCCCAT 1020 CCTCACCATC ATCACACTGG AAGACTCCAG TGGTAATCTA CTGGGACGGA ACAGCTTTGA 1080 GGTGCGTGTT TGTGCCTGTC CTGGGAGAGA CCGGCGCACA GAGGAAGAGA ATCTCCGCAA 1140 GAAAGGGGAG CCTCACCACG AGCTGCCCCC AGGGAGCACT AAGCGAGCAC TGCCCAACAA 1200 CACCAGCTCC TCTCCCCAGC CAAAGAAGAA ACCACTGGAT GGAGAATATT TCACCCTTCA 1260 GATCCGTGGG CGTGAGCGCT TCGAGATGTT CCGAGAGCTG AATGAGGCCT TGGAACTCAA 1320 GGATGCCCAG GCTGGGAAGG AGCCAGGGGG GAGCAGGGCT CACTCCAGCC ACCTGAAGTC 1380 CAAAAAGGGT CAGTCTACCT CCCGCCATAA AAAACTCATG TTCAAGACAG AAGGGCCTGA 1440 CTCAGACTGA ACGCGTTTTT ATCCCGGGCT CGAGTCTAGA ATCGATCCCG GGTTTTTATG 1500 ACTAGTTAAT CA 1512 71 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 100 CATCTTAATT AATTAGTCAT CAGGCAGGGC GAGAACGAAG ACTATCTGCT CGTTAATTAA 60 TTAGGTCGAC G 71 69 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 101 CATCCGTCGA CCTAATTAAT TAACGACGAC ATAGTCTCGT TCTCGCCTGC CTGATGACTA 60 ATTAATTAA 69 12 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 102 AATTGCGGCC GC 12 1484 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 103 GGTACGTGAC TAATTAGCTA TAAAAAGGAT CTTAATTAAT TAGTCATCAG GCAGGGCGAG 60 AACGAGACTA TCTGCTCGTT AATTAATTAG GTCGACGGAT CCCCCGGGTT CTTTATTCTA 120 TACTTAAAAA GTGAAAATAA ATACAAAGGT TCTTGAGGGT TGTGTTAAAT TGAAAGCGAG 180 AAATAATCAT AAATTATTTC ATTATCGCGA TATCCGTTAA GTTTGTATCG TAATGGAGGA 240 GCCGCAGTCA GATCCTAGCG TCGAGCCCCC TCTGAGTCAG GAAACATTTT CAGACCTATG 300 GAAACTACTT CCTGAAAACA ACGTTCTGTC CCCCTTGCCG TCCCAAGCAA TGGATGATTT 360 GATGCTGTCC CCGGACGATA TTGAACAATG GTTCACTGAA GACCCAGGTC CAGATGAAGC 420 TCCCAGAATG CCAGAGGCTG CTCCCCGCGT GGCCCCTGCA CCAGCAGCTC CTACACCGGC 480 GGCCCCTGCA CCAGCCCCCT CCTGGCCCCT GTCATCTTCT GTCCCTTCCC AGAAAACCTA 540 CCAGGGCAGC TACGGTTTCC GTCTGGGCTT CTTGCATTCT GGGACAGCCA AGTCTGTGAC 600 TTGCACGTAC TCCCCTGCCC TCAACAAGAT GTTTTGCCAA CTGGCCAAGA CCTGCCCTGT 660 GCAGCTGTGG GTTGATTCCA CACCCCCGCC CGGCACCCGC GTCCGCGCCA TGGCCATCTA 720 CAAGCAGTCA CAGCACATGA CGGAGGTTGT GAGGCGCTGC CCCCACCATG AGCGCTGCTC 780 AGATAGCGAT GGTCTGGCCC CTCCTCAGCA TCTTATCCGA GTGGAAGGAA ATTTGCGTGT 840 GGAGTATTTG GATGACAGAA ACACTTTTCG ACATAGTGTG GTGGTGCCCT ATGAGCCGCC 900 TGAGGTTGGC TCTGACTGTA CCACCATCCA CTACAACTAC ATGTGTAACA GTTCCTGCAT 960 GGGCGGCATG AACCGGAGGC CCATCCTCAC CATCATCACA CTGGAAGACT CCAGTGGTAA 1020 TCTACTGGGA CGGAACAGCT TTGAGGTGCG TGTTTGTGCC TGTCCTGGGA GAGACCGGCG 1080 CACAGAGGAA GAGAATCTCC GCAAGAAAGG GGAGCCTCAC CACGAGCTGC CCCCAGGGAG 1140 CACTAAGCGA GCACTGCCCA ACAACACCAG CTCCTCTCCC CAGCCAAAGA AGAAACCACT 1200 GGATGGAGAA TATTTCACCC TTCAGATCCG TGGGCGTGAG CGCTTCGAGA TGTTCCGAGA 1260 GCTGAATGAG GCCTTGGAAC TCAAGGATGC CCAGGCTGGG AAGGAGCCAG GGGGGAGCAG 1320 GGCTCACTCC AGCCACCTGA AGTCCAAAAA GGGTCAGTCT ACCTCCCGCC ATAAAAAACT 1380 CATGTTCAAG ACAGAAGGGC CTGACTCAGA CTGAACGCGT TTTTTATCCC GGGCTCGAGT 1440 CTAGAATCGA TCCCGGGTTT TTATGACTAG TTAATCACGG CCGC 1484 42 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 104 CAGACTCCTC TGCTCAAGAG ACATTACGAT ACAAACTTAA CG 42 24 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 105 ATGTCTCTTG AGCAGAGGAG TCTG 24 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 106 CAGGCCATCA TAGGAGAGAC C 21 24 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 107 GTGGCTGATT TGGTTGGTTT TCTG 24 37 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 108 ATCATCTCTA GAAAAAAAAT CACATAGCTG GTTTCAG 37 1094 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 109 AAAAAGGATC CGGGTTAATT AATTAGTCAT CAGGCAGGGC GAGAACGAGA CTATCTGCTC 60 GTTAATTAAT TAGAGCTTCT TTATTCTATA CTTAAAAAGT GAAAATAAAT ACAAAGGTTC 120 TTGAGGGTTG TGTTAAATTG AAAGCGAGAA ATAATCATAA ATTATTTCAT TATCGCGATA 180 TCCGTTAAGT TTGTATCGTA ATGTCTCTTG AGCAGAGGAG TCTGCACTGC AAGCCTGAGG 240 AAGCCCTTGA GGCCCAACAA GAGGCCCTGG GCCTGGTGTG TGTGCAGGCT GCCACCTCCT 300 CCTCCTCTCC TCTGGTCCTG GGCACCCTGG AGGAGGTGCC CACTGCTGGG TCAACAGATC 360 CTCCCCAGAG TCCTCAGGGA GCCTCCGCCT TTCCCACTAC CATCAACTTC ACTCGACAGA 420 GGCAACCCAG TGAGGGTTCC AGCAGCCGTG AAGAGGAGGG GCCAAGCACC TCTTGTATCC 480 TGGAGTCCTT GTTCCGAGCA GTAATCACTA AGAAGGTGGC TGATTTGGTT GGTTTTCTGC 540 TCCTCAAATA TCGAGCCAGG GAGCCAGTCA CAAAGGCAGA AATGCTGGAG AGTGTCATCA 600 AAAATTACAA GCACTGTTTT CCTGAGATCT TCGGCAAAGC CTCTGAGTCC TTGCAGCTGG 660 TCTTTGGCAT TGACGTGAAG GAAGCAGACC CCACCGGCCA CTCCTATGTC CTTGTCACCT 720 GCCTAGGTCT CTCCTATGAT GGCCTGCTGG GTGATAATCA GATCATGCCC AAGACAGGCT 780 TCCTGATAAT TGTCCTGGTC ATGATTGCAA TGGAGGGCGG CCATGCTCCT GAGGAGGAAA 840 TCTGGGAGGA GCTGAGTGTG ATGGAGGTGT ATGATGGGAG GGAGCACAGT GCCTATGGGG 900 AGCCCAGGAA GCTGCTCACC CAAGATTTGG TGCAGGAAAA GTACCTGGAG TACGGCAGGT 960 GCCGGACAGT GATCCCGCAC GCTATGAGTT CCTGTGGGGT CCAAGGGCCC TCGCTGAAAC 1020 CAGCTATGTG ATTTTTATTC TAGAATCGAT CCCGGGTTTT TATGACTAGT TAATCACGGC 1080 CGCTTATAAA GATC 1094 1084 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 110 ATAAATCACT TTTTATACTA ATATTTAATT AATTAAGCTT GGTACCCTCG AAGCTTCTTT 60 ATTCTATACT TAAAAAGTGA AAATAAATAC AAAGGTTCTT GAGGGTTGTG TTAAATTGAA 120 AGCGAGAAAT AATCATAAAT TATTTCATTA TCGCGATATC CGTTAAGTTT GTATCGTAAT 180 GTCTCTTGAG CAGAGGAGTC TGCACTGCAA GCCTGAGGAA GCCCTTGAGG CCCAACAAGA 240 GGCCCTGGGC CTGGTGTGTG TGCAGGCTGC CACCTCCTCC TCCTCTCCTC TGGTCCTGGG 300 CACCCTGGAG GAGGTGCCCA CTGCTGGGTC AACAGATCCT CCCCAGAGTC CTCAGGGAGC 360 CTCCGCCTTT CCCACTACCA TCAACTTCAC TCGACAGAGG CAACCCAGTG AGGGTTCCAG 420 CAGCCGTGAA GAGGAGGGGC CAAGCACCTC TTGTATCCTG GAGTCCTTGT TCCGAGCAGT 480 AATCACTAAG AAGGTGGCTG ATTTGGTTGG TTTTCTGCTC CTCAAATATC GAGCCAGGGA 540 GCCAGTCACA AAGGCAGAAA TGCTGGAGAG TGTCATCAAA AATTACAAGC ACTGTTTTCC 600 TGAGATCTTC GGCAAAGCCT CTGAGTCCTT GCAGCTGGTC TTTGGCATTG ACGTGAAGGA 660 AGCAGACCCC ACCGGCCACT CCTATGTCCT TGTCACCTGC CTAGGTCTCT CCTATGATGG 720 CCTGCTGGGT GATAATCAGA TCATGCCCAA GACAGGCTTC CTGATAATTG TCCTGGTCAT 780 GATTGCAATG GAGGGCGGCC ATGCTCCTGA GGAGGAAATC TGGGAGGAGC TGAGTGTGAT 840 GGAGGTGTAT GATGGGAGGG AGCACAGTGC CTATGGGGAG CCCAGGAAGC TGCTCACCCA 900 AGATTTGGTG CAGGAAAAGT ACCTGGAGTA CGGCAGGTGC CGGACAGTGA TCCCGCACGC 960 TATGAGTTCC TGTGGGGTCC AAGGGCCCTC GCTGAAACCA GCTATGTGAT TTTTATTCTA 1020 GAACTAGTGG ATCCCCCGGG TAGCTAGCTA ATTTTTCTTT TACGTATTAT ATATGTAATA 1080 AACG 1084 45 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 111 TATCGCGATA TCCGTTAAGT TTGTATCGTA ATGGAGTCTC CCTCG 45 31 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 112 TGCTAGATCT TTATCTCTCG ACCACTGTAT G 31 23 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 113 CTATGAGTGT GGAATCCAGA ACG 23 51 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 114 TCAGAAGCTT CCCGGGTCTA GACTCGAGAT AAAAACTATA TCAGAGCAAC C 51 20 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 115 GTCTCAGAAC GTGTTCATGT 20 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 116 CACGGATCCA TGAAGTCATA TATTTCCTT 29 30 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 117 GTGAAGCTTA ATCCATAATC TTCAATAATT 30 30 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 118 GTGAAGCTTT TATACATAAC AGAAATAACA 30 2981 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 119 ATGAAGTCAT ATATTTCCTT GTTTTTCATA TTGTGTGTTA TATTTAACAA AAATGTTATA 60 AAATGTACAG GAGAAAGTCA AACAGGTAAT ACAGGAGGAG GTCAAGCAGG TAATACAGGA 120 GGAGGTCAAG CAGGTAATAC AGTAGGAGAT CAAGCAGGTA GTACAGGAGG AAGTCCACAA 180 GGTAGTACGG GAGCAAGTCA ACCCGGAAGT TCCGAACCAA GCAATCCTGT AAGTTCCGGA 240 CATTCTGTAA GTACTGTATC AGTATCACAA ACTTCAACTT CTTCAGAAAA ACAGGATACA 300 ATTCAAGTAA AATCAGCTTT ATTAAAAGAT TATATGGGTT TAAAAGTTAC TGGTCCATGT 360 AACGAAAATT TCATAATGTT CTTAGTTCCT CATATATATA TTGATGTTGA TACAGAAGAT 420 ACTAATATCG AATTAAGAAC AACATTGAAA GAAACAAATA ATGCAATATC ATTTGAATCA 480 AACAGTGGTT CATTAGAAAA AAAAAAATAT GTAAAACTAC CATCAAATGG TACAACTGGT 540 GAACAAAGTT CTAGTTCAAG TTCAAGTTCT AGTTCAAATT CTAGTTCAAG TTCAAGTTCA 600 AGTTCAAGTT CTAGTTCAAG TTCAAGTTCA AGTTCTAGTT CAAGTTCTAG TTCAAGTTCA 660 GAAAGTCTTC CTGCTAATGG ACCTGATTCC CCTACTGTTA AACCGCCAAG AAATTTACAA 720 AATATATGTG AAACTGGAAA AAACTTCAAG TTGGTAGTAT ATATTAAGGA GAATACATTA 780 ATAATTAAAT GGAAAGTATA CGGAGAAACA AAAGATACTA CTGAAAATAA CAAAGTTGAT 840 GTAAGAAAGT ATTTGATAAA TGAAAAGGAA ACCCCATTTA CTAGTATACT AATACATGCG 900 TATAAAGAAC ATAATGGAAC AAACTTAATA GAAAGTAAAA ACTACGCATT AGGATCAGAC 960 ATTCCAGAAA AATGTGATAC CTTAGCTTCC AATTGCTTTT TAAGTGGTAA TTTTAACATT 1020 GAAAAATGCT TTCAATGTGC TCTTTTAGTA GAAAAAGAAA ATAAAAATGA CGTATGTTAC 1080 AAATACCTAT CTGAAGATAT TGTAAGTAAA TTCAAAGAAA TAAAAGCTGA GACAGAAGAT 1140 GATGATGAAG ATGATTATAC TGAATATAAA TTAACAGAAT CTATTGATAA TATATTAGTA 1200 AAAATGTTTA AAACAAATGA AAATAATGAT AAATCAGAAT TAATAAAATT AGAAGAAGTA 1260 GATGATAGTT TGAAATTAGA ATTAATGAAT TACTGTAGTT TACTTAAAGA CGTAGATACA 1320 ACAGGTACCT TAGATAATTA TGGGATGGGA AATGAAATGG ATATATTTAA TAACTTAAAG 1380 AGATTATTAA TTTATCATTC AGAAGAAAAT ATTAATACTT TAAAAAATAA ATTCCGTAAT 1440 GCAGCTGTAT GTCTTAAAAA TGTTGATGAT TGGATTGTAA ATAAGAGAGG TTTAGTATTA 1500 CCTGAATTAA ATTATGATTT AGAATATTTC AATGAACATT TATATAATGA TAAAAATTCT 1560 CCAGAAGATA AAGATAATAA AGGAAAAGGT GTCGTACATG TTGATACAAC TTTAGAAAAA 1620 GAAGATACTT TATCATATGA TAACTCAGAT AATATGTTTT GTAATAAAGA ATATTGTAAC 1680 AGATTAAAAG ATGAAAATAA TTGTATATCT AATCTTCAAG TTGAAGATCA AGGTAATTGT 1740 GATACTTCAT GGATTTTTGC TTCAAAATAT CATTTAGAAA CTATTAGATG TATGAAAGGA 1800 TATGAACCTA CCAAAATTTC TGCTCTTTAT GTAGCTAATT GTTATAAAGG TGAACATAAA 1860 GATAGATGTG ATGAAGGTTC TAGTCCAATG GAATTCTTAC AAATTATTGA AGATTATGGA 1920 TTCTTACCAG CAGAATCAAA TTATCCATAT AACTATGTGA AAGTTGGAGA ACAATGTCCA 1980 AAGGTAGAAG ATCACTGGAT GAATCTATGG GATAATGGAA AAATCTTACA TAACAAAAAT 2040 GAACCTAATA GTTTAGATGG TAAGGGATAT ACTGCATATG AAAGTGAAAG ATTTCATGAT 2100 AATATGGATG CATTTGTTAA AATTATTAAA ACTGAAGTAA TGAATAAAGG TTCAGTTATT 2160 GCATATATTA AAGCTGAAAA TGTTATGGGA TATGAATTTA GTGGAAAGAA AGTACAGAAC 2220 TTATGTGGTG ATGATACAGC TGATCATGCA GTTAATATTG TTGGTTATGG TAATTATGTG 2280 AATAGCGAAG GAGAAAAAAA ATCCTATTGG ATTGTAAGAA ACAGTTGGGG TCCATATTGG 2340 GGAGATGAAG GTTATTTTAA AGTAGATATG TATGGACCAA CTCATTGTCA TTTTAACTTT 2400 ATTCACAGTG TTGTTATATT CAATGTTGAT TTACCTATGA ATAATAAAAC AACTAAAAAA 2460 GAATCAAAAA TATATGATTA TTATTTAAAG GCCTCTCCAG AATTTTATCA TAACCTTTAC 2520 TTTAAGAATT TTAATGTTGG TAAGAAAAAT TTATTCTCTG AAAAGGAAGA TAATGAAAAC 2580 AACAAAAAAT TAGGTAACAA CTATATTATA TTCGGTCAAG ATACGGCAGG ATCAGGACAA 2640 AGTGGAAAGG AAAGCAATAC TGCATTAGAA TCTGCAGGAA CTTCAAATGA AGTCTCAGAA 2700 CGTGTTCATG TTTATCACAT ATTAAAACAT ATAAAGGATG GCAAAATAAG AATGGGTATG 2760 CGTAAATATA TAGATACACA AGATGTAAAT AAGAAACATT CTTGTACAAG ATCCTATGCA 2820 TTTAATCCAG AGAATTATGA AAAATGTGTA AATTTATGTA ATGTGAACTG GAAAACATGC 2880 GAGGAAAAAA CATCACCAGG ACTTTGTTTA TCCAAATTGG ATACAAATAA CGAATGTTAT 2940 TTCTGTTATG TATAAAATAA TATAACAAAA AAAAAAAAAA A 2981 984 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide internal 120 Met Lys Ser Tyr Ile Ser Leu Phe Phe Ile Leu Cys Val Ile Phe Asn 1 5 10 15 Lys Asn Val Ile Lys Cys Thr Gly Glu Ser Gln Thr Gly Asn Thr Gly 20 25 30 Gly Gly Gln Ala Gly Asn Thr Gly Gly Gly Gln Ala Gly Asn Thr Val 35 40 45 Gly Asp Gln Ala Gly Ser Thr Gly Gly Ser Pro Gln Gly Ser Thr Gly 50 55 60 Ala Ser Gln Pro Gly Ser Ser Glu Pro Ser Asn Pro Val Ser Ser Gly 65 70 75 80 His Ser Val Ser Thr Val Ser Val Ser Ser Thr Ser Thr Ser Ser Glu 85 90 95 Lys Gln Asp Thr Ile Gln Val Lys Ser Ala Leu Leu Lys Asp Tyr Met 100 105 110 Gly Leu Lys Val Thr Gly Pro Cys Asn Glu Asn Phe Ile Met Phe Leu 115 120 125 Val Pro His Ile Tyr Ile Asp Val Asp Thr Glu Asp Thr Asn Ile Glu 130 135 140 Leu Arg Thr Thr Leu Lys Glu Thr Asn Asn Ala Ile Ser Phe Glu Ser 145 150 155 160 Asn Ser Gly Ser Leu Glu Lys Lys Lys Tyr Val Lys Leu Pro Ser Asn 165 170 175 Gly Thr Thr Gly Glu Gln Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser 180 185 190 Asn Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser 195 200 205 Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Ser Leu Pro 210 215 220 Ala Asn Gly Pro Asp Ser Pro Thr Val Lys Pro Pro Arg Asn Leu Gln 225 230 235 240 Asn Ile Cys Glu Thr Gly Lys Asn Phe Lys Leu Val Val Tyr Ile Lys 245 250 255 Glu Asn Thr Leu Ile Ile Lys Trp Lys Val Tyr Gly Glu Thr Lys Asp 260 265 270 Thr Thr Glu Asn Asn Lys Val Asp Val Arg Lys Tyr Leu Ile Asn Glu 275 280 285 Lys Glu Thr Pro Phe Thr Ser Ile Leu Ile His Ala Tyr Lys Glu His 290 295 300 Asn Gly Thr Asn Leu Ile Glu Ser Lys Asn Tyr Ala Leu Gly Ser Asp 305 310 315 320 Ile Pro Glu Lys Cys Asp Thr Leu Ala Ser Asn Cys Phe Leu Ser Gly 325 330 335 Asn Phe Asn Ile Glu Lys Cys Phe Gln Cys Ala Leu Leu Val Glu Lys 340 345 350 Glu Asn Lys Asn Asp Val Cys Tyr Lys Tyr Leu Ser Glu Asp Ile Val 355 360 365 Ser Lys Phe Lys Glu Ile Lys Ala Glu Thr Glu Asp Asp Asp Glu Asp 370 375 380 Asp Tyr Thr Glu Tyr Lys Leu Thr Glu Ser Ile Asp Asn Ile Leu Val 385 390 395 400 Lys Met Phe Lys Thr Asn Glu Asn Asn Asp Lys Ser Glu Leu Ile Lys 405 410 415 Leu Glu Glu Val Asp Asp Ser Leu Lys Leu Glu Leu Met Asn Tyr Cys 420 425 430 Ser Leu Leu Lys Asp Val Asp Thr Thr Gly Thr Leu Asp Asn Tyr Gly 435 440 445 Met Gly Asn Glu Met Asp Ile Phe Asn Asn Leu Lys Arg Leu Leu Ile 450 455 460 Tyr His Ser Glu Glu Asn Ile Asn Thr Leu Lys Asn Lys Phe Arg Asn 465 470 475 480 Ala Ala Val Cys Leu Lys Asn Val Asp Asp Trp Ile Val Asn Lys Arg 485 490 495 Gly Leu Val Leu Pro Glu Leu Asn Tyr Asp Leu Glu Tyr Phe Asn Glu 500 505 510 His Leu Tyr Asn Asp Lys Asn Ser Pro Glu Asp Lys Asp Asn Lys Gly 515 520 525 Lys Gly Val Val His Val Asp Thr Thr Leu Glu Lys Glu Asp Thr Leu 530 535 540 Ser Tyr Asp Asn Ser Asp Asn Met Phe Cys Asn Lys Glu Tyr Cys Asn 545 550 555 560 Arg Leu Lys Asp Glu Asn Asn Cys Ile Ser Asn Leu Gln Val Glu Asp 565 570 575 Gln Gly Asn Cys Asp Thr Ser Trp Ile Phe Ala Ser Lys Tyr His Leu 580 585 590 Glu Thr Ile Arg Cys Met Lys Gly Tyr Glu Pro Thr Lys Ile Ser Ala 595 600 605 Leu Tyr Val Ala Asn Cys Tyr Lys Gly Glu His Lys Asp Arg Cys Asp 610 615 620 Glu Gly Ser Ser Pro Met Glu Phe Leu Gln Ile Ile Glu Asp Tyr Gly 625 630 635 640 Phe Leu Pro Ala Glu Ser Asn Tyr Pro Tyr Asn Tyr Val Lys Val Gly 645 650 655 Glu Gln Cys Pro Lys Val Glu Asp His Trp Met Asn Leu Trp Asp Asn 660 665 670 Gly Lys Ile Leu His Asn Lys Asn Glu Pro Asn Ser Leu Asp Gly Lys 675 680 685 Gly Tyr Thr Ala Tyr Glu Ser Glu Arg Phe His Asp Asn Met Asp Ala 690 695 700 Phe Val Lys Ile Ile Lys Thr Glu Val Met Asn Lys Gly Ser Val Ile 705 710 715 720 Ala Tyr Ile Lys Ala Glu Asn Val Met Gly Tyr Glu Phe Ser Gly Lys 725 730 735 Lys Val Gln Asn Leu Cys Gly Asp Asp Thr Ala Asp His Ala Val Asn 740 745 750 Ile Val Gly Tyr Gly Asn Tyr Val Asn Ser Glu Gly Glu Lys Lys Ser 755 760 765 Tyr Trp Ile Val Arg Asn Ser Trp Gly Pro Tyr Trp Gly Asp Glu Gly 770 775 780 Tyr Phe Lys Val Asp Met Tyr Gly Pro Thr His Cys His Phe Asn Phe 785 790 795 800 Ile His Ser Val Val Ile Phe Asn Val Asp Leu Pro Met Asn Asn Lys 805 810 815 Thr Thr Lys Lys Glu Ser Lys Ile Tyr Asp Tyr Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ser 820 825 830 Pro Glu Phe Tyr His Asn Leu Tyr Phe Lys Asn Phe Asn Val Gly Lys 835 840 845 Lys Asn Leu Phe Ser Glu Lys Glu Asp Asn Glu Asn Asn Lys Lys Leu 850 855 860 Gly Asn Asn Tyr Ile Ile Phe Gly Gln Asp Thr Ala Gly Ser Gly Gln 865 870 875 880 Ser Gly Lys Glu Ser Asn Thr Ala Leu Glu Ser Ala Gly Thr Ser Asn 885 890 895 Glu Val Ser Glu Arg Val His Val Tyr His Ile Leu Lys His Ile Lys 900 905 910 Asp Gly Lys Ile Arg Met Gly Met Arg Lys Tyr Ile Asp Thr Gln Asp 915 920 925 Val Asn Lys Lys His Ser Cys Thr Arg Ser Tyr Ala Phe Asn Pro Glu 930 935 940 Asn Tyr Glu Lys Cys Val Asn Leu Cys Asn Val Asn Trp Lys Thr Cys 945 950 955 960 Glu Glu Lys Thr Ser Pro Gly Leu Cys Leu Ser Lys Leu Asp Thr Asn 965 970 975 Asn Glu Cys Tyr Phe Cys Tyr Val 980 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 121 TAGAATCTGC AGGAACTTCA A 21 54 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 122 CTACACGAGC TCCCGGGCTC GAGATAAAAA TTATACATAA CAGAAATAAC ATTC 54 76 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 123 CTAGAGAAGC TTCCCGGGAT CCTCAAAATT GAAAATATAT AATTACAATA TAAAATGAAG 60 TCATATATTT CCTTGT 76 19 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 124 ACTTCCGGGT TGACTTGCT 19 62 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 125 GATCTTTTGT TAACAAAAAC TAATCAGCTA TCGCGAATCG ATTCCCGGGG GATCCGGTAC 60 CC 62 62 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 126 TCGAGGGTAC CGGATCCCCC GGGAATCGAT TCGCGATAGC TGATTAGTTT TTGTTAACAA 60 AA 62 7351 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 127 AGATATTTGT TAGCTTCTGC CGGAGATACC GTGAAAATCT ATTTTCTGGA AGGAAAGGGA 60 GGTCTTATCT ATTCTGTCAG CAGAGTAGGT TCCTCTAATG ACGAAGACAA TAGTGAATAC 120 TTGCATGAAG GTCACTGTGT AGAGTTCAAA ACTGATCATC AGTGTTTGAT AACTCTAGCG 180 TGTACGAGTC CTTCTAACAC TGTGGTTTAT TGGCTGGAAT AAAAGGATAA AGACACCTAT 240 ACTGATTCAT TTTCATCTGT CAACGTTTCT CTAAGAGATT CATAGGTATT ATTATTACAT 300 CGATCTAGAA GTCTAATAAC TGCTAAGTAT ATTATTGGAT TTAACGCGCT ATAAACGCAT 360 CCAAAACCTA CAAATATAGG AGAAGCTTCT CTTATGAAAC TTCTTAAAGC TTTACTCTTA 420 CTATTACTAC TCAAAAGAGA TATTACATTA ATTATGTGAT GAGGCATCCA ACATATAAAG 480 AAGACTAAAG CTGTAGAAGC TGTTATGAAG AATATCTTAT CAGATATATT AGATGCATTG 540 TTAGTTCTGT AGATCAGTAA CGTATAGCAT ACGAGTATAA TTATCGTAGG TAGTAGGTAT 600 CCTAAAATAA ATCTGATACA GATAATAACT TTGTAAATCA ATTCAGCAAT TTCTCTATTA 660 TCATGATAAT GATTAATACA CAGCGTGTCG TTATTTTTTG TTACGATAGT ATTTCTAAAG 720 TAAAGAGCAG GAATCCCTAG TATAATAGAA ATAATCCATA TGAAAAATAT AGTAATGTAC 780 ATATTTCTAA TGTTAACATA TTTATAGGTA AATCCAGGAA GGGTAATTTT TACATATCTA 840 TATACGCTTA TTACAGTTAT TAAAAATATA CTTGCAAACA TGTTAGAAGT AAAAAAGAAA 900 GAACTAATTT TACAAAGTGC TTTACCAAAA TGCCAATGGA AATTACTTAG TATGTATATA 960 ATGTATAAAG GTATGAATAT CACAAACAGC AAATCGGCTA TTCCCAAGTT GAGAAACGGT 1020 ATAATAGATA TATTTCTAGA TACCATTAAT AACCTTATAA GCTTGACGTT TCCTATAATG 1080 CCTACTAAGA AAACTAGAAG ATACATACAT ACTAACGCCA TACGAGAGTA ACTACTCATC 1140 GTATAACTAC TGTTGCTAAC AGTGACACTG ATGTTATAAC TCATCTTTGA TGTGGTATAA 1200 ATGTATAATA ACTATATTAC ACTGGTATTT TATTTCAGTT ATATACTATA TAGTATTAAA 1260 AATTATATTT GTATAATTAT ATTATTATAT TCAGTGTAGA AAGTAAAATA CTATAAATAT 1320 GTATCTCTTA TTTATAACTT ATTAGTAAAG TATGTACTAT TCAGTTATAT TGTTTTATAA 1380 AAGCTAAATG CTACTAGATT GATATAAATG AATATGTAAT AAATTAGTAA TGTAGTATAC 1440 TAATATTAAC TCACATTATG AATACTACTA ATCACGAAGA ATGCAGTAAA ACATATGATA 1500 CAAACATGTT AACAGTTTTA AAAGCCATTA GTAATAAACA GTACAATATA ATTAAGTCTT 1560 TACTTAAAAA AGATATTAAT GTTAATAGAT TATTAACTAG TTATTCTAAC GAAATATATA 1620 AACATTTAGA CATTACATTA TGTAATATAC TTATAGAACG TGCAGCAGAC ATAAACATTA 1680 TAGATAAGAA CAATCGTACA CCGTTGTTTT ATGCGGTAAA GAATAATGAT TATGATATGG 1740 TTAAACTCCT ATTAAAAAAT GGCGCGAATG TAAATTTACA AGATAGTATA GGATATTCAT 1800 GTCTTCACAT CGCAGGTATA CATAATAGTA ACATAGAAAT AGTAGATGCA TTGATATCAT 1860 ACAAACCAGA TTTAAACTCC CGCGATTGGG TAGGTAGAAC ACCGCTACAT ATCTTCGTGA 1920 TAGAATCTAA CTTTGAAGCT GTGAAATTAT TATTAAAGTC AGGTGCATAT GTAGGTTTGA 1980 AAGACAAATG TAAGCATTTT CCTATACACC ATTCTGTAAT GAAATTAGAT CACTTAATAT 2040 CAGGATTGTT ATTAAAATAT GGAGCAAATC CAAATACAAT TAACGGCAAT GGAAAAACAT 2100 TATTAAGCAT TGCTGTAACA TCTAATAATA CACTACTGGT AGAACAGCTG CTGTTATATG 2160 GAGCAGAAGT TAATAATGGT GGTTATGATG TTCCAGCTCC TATTATATCC GCTGTCAGTG 2220 TTAACAATTA TGATATTGTT AAGATACTGA TACATAATGG TGCGAATATA AATGTATCCA 2280 CGGAAGATGG TAGAACGTCT TTACATACAG CTATGTTTTG GAATAACGCT AAAATAATAG 2340 ATGAGTTGCT TAACTATGGA AGTGACATAA ACAGCGTAGA TACTTATGGT AGAACTCCGT 2400 TATCTTGTTA TCGTAGCTTA AGTTATGATA TCGCTACTAA ACTAATATCA CGTATCATTA 2460 TAACAGATGT CTATCGTGAA GCACCAGTAA ATATCAGCGG ATTTATAATT AATTTAAAAA 2520 CTATAGAAAA TAATGATATA TTCAAATTAA TTAAAGATGA TTGTATTAAA GAGATAAACA 2580 TACTTAAAAG TATAACCCTT AATAAATTTC ATTCATCTGA CATATTTATA CGATATAATA 2640 CTGATATATG TTTATTAACG AGATTTATTC AACATCCAAA GATAATAGAA CTAGACAAAA 2700 AACTCTACGC TTATAAATCT ATAGTCAACG AGAGAAAAAT CAAAGCTACT TACAGGTATT 2760 ATCAAATAAA AAAAGTATTA ACTGTACTAC CTTTTTCAGG ATATTTCTCT ATATTGCCGT 2820 TTGATGTGTT AGTATATATA CTTGAATTCA TCTATGATAA TAATATGTTG GTACTTATGA 2880 GAGCGTTATC ATTAAAATGA AATAAAAAGC ATACAAGCTA TTGCTTCGCT ATCGTTACAA 2940 AATGGCAGGA ATTTTGTGTA AACTAAGCCA CATACTTGCC AATGAAAAAA ATAGTAGAAA 3000 GGATACTATT TTAATGGGAT TAGATGTTAA GGTTCCTTGG GATTATAGTA ACTGGGCATC 3060 TGTTAACTTT TACGACGTTA GGTTAGATAC TGATGTTACA GATTATAATA ATGTTACAAT 3120 AAAATACATG ACAGGATGTG ATATTTTTCC TCATATAACT CTTGGAATAG CAAATATGGA 3180 TCAATGTGAT AGATTTGAAA ATTTCAAAAA GCAAATAACT GATCAAGATT TACAGACTAT 3240 TTCTATAGTC TGTAAAGAAG AGATGTGTTT TCCTCAGAGT AACGCCTCTA AACAGTTGGG 3300 AGCGAAAGGA TGCGCTGTAG TTATGAAACT GGAGGTATCT GATGAACTTA GAGCCCTAAG 3360 AAATGTTCTG CTGAATGCGG TACCCTGTTC GAAGGACGTG TTTGGTGATA TCACAGTAGA 3420 TAATCCGTGG AATCCTCACA TAACAGTAGG ATATGTTAAG GAGGACGATG TCGAAAACAA 3480 GAAACGCCTA ATGGAGTGCA TGTCCAAGTT TAGGGGGCAA GAAATACAAG TTCTAGGATG 3540 GTATTAATAA GTATCTAAGT ATTTGGTATA ATTTATTAAA TAGTATAATT ATAACAAATA 3600 ATAAATAACA TGATAACGGT TTTTATTAGA ATAAAATAGA GATAATATCA TAATGATATA 3660 TAATACTTCA TTACCAGAAA TGAGTAATGG AAGACTTATA AATGAACTGC ATAAAGCTAT 3720 AAGGTATAGA GATATAAATT TAGTAAGGTA TATACTTAAA AAATGCAAAT ACAATAACGT 3780 AAATATACTA TCAACGTCTT TGTATTTAGC CGTAAGTATT TCTGATATAG AAATGGTAAA 3840 ATTATTACTA GAACACGGTG CCGATATTTT AAAATGTAAA AATCCTCCTC TTCATAAAGC 3900 TGCTAGTTTA GATAATACAG AAATTGCTAA ACTACTAATA GATTCTGGCG CTGACATAGA 3960 ACAGATACAT TCTGGAAATA GTCCGTTATA TATTTCTGTA TATAGAAACA ATAAGTCATT 4020 AACTAGATAT TTATTAAAAA AAGGTGTTAA TTGTAATAGA TTCTTTCTAA ATTATTACGA 4080 TGTACTGTAT GATAAGATAT CTGATGATAT GTATAAAATA TTTATAGATT TTAATATTGA 4140 TCTTAATATA CAAACTAGAA ATTTTGAAAC TCCGTTACAT TACGCTATAA AGTATAAGAA 4200 TATAGATTTA ATTAGGATAT TGTTAGATAA TAGTATTAAA ATAGATAAAA GTTTATTTTT 4260 GCATAAACAG TATCTCATAA AGGCACTTAA AAATAATTGT AGTTACGATA TAATAGCGTT 4320 ACTTATAAAT CACGGAGTGC CTATAAACGA ACAAGATGAT TTAGGTAAAA CCCCATTACA 4380 TCATTCGGTA ATTAATAGAA GAAAAGATGT AACAGCACTT CTGTTAAATC TAGGAGCTGA 4440 TATAAACGTA ATAGATGACT GTATGGGCAG TCCCTTACAT TACGCTGTTT CACGTAACGA 4500 TATCGAAACA ACAAAGACAC TTTTAGAAAG AGGATCTAAT GTTAATGTGG TTAATAATCA 4560 TATAGATACC GTTCTAAATA TAGCTGTTGC ATCTAAAAAC AAAACTATAG TAAACTTATT 4620 ACTGAAGTAC GGTACTGATA CAAAGTTGGT AGGATTAGAT AAACATGTTA TTCACATAGC 4680 TATAGAAATG AAAGATATTA ATATACTGAA TGCGATCTTA TTATATGGTT GCTATGTAAA 4740 CGTCTATAAT CATAAAGGTT TCACTCCTCT ATACATGGCA GTTAGTTCTA TGAAAACAGA 4800 ATTTGTTAAA CTCTTACTTG ACCACGGTGC TTACGTAAAT GCTAAAGCTA AGTTATCTGG 4860 AAATACTCCT TTACATAAAG CTATGTTATC TAATAGTTTT AATAATATAA AATTACTTTT 4920 ATCTTATAAC GCCGACTATA ATTCTCTAAA TAATCACGGT AATACGCCTC TAACTTGTGT 4980 TAGCTTTTTA GATGACAAGA TAGCTATTAT GATAATATCT AAAATGATGT TAGAAATATC 5040 TAAAAATCCT GAAATAGCTA ATTCAGAAGG TTTTATAGTA AACATGGAAC ATATAAACAG 5100 TAATAAAAGA CTACTATCTA TAAAAGAATC ATGCGAAAAA GAACTAGATG TTATAACACA 5160 TATAAAGTTA AATTCTATAT ATTCTTTTAA TATCTTTCTT GACAATAACA TAGATCTTAT 5220 GGTAAAGTTC GTAACTAATC CTAGAGTTAA TAAGATACCT GCATGTATAC GTATATATAG 5280 GGAATTAATA CGGAAAAATA AATCATTAGC TTTTCATAGA CATCAGCTAA TAGTTAAAGC 5340 TGTAAAAGAG AGTAAGAATC TAGGAATAAT AGGTAGGTTA CCTATAGATA TCAAACATAT 5400 AATAATGGAA CTATTAAGTA ATAATGATTT ACATTCTGTT ATCACCAGCT GTTGTAACCC 5460 AGTAGTATAA AGTGATTTTA TTCAATTACG AAGATAAACA TTAAATTTGT TAACAGATAT 5520 GAGTTATGAG TATTTAACTA AAGTTACTTT AGGTACAAAT AAAATATTAT GTAATATAAT 5580 AGAAAATTAT CTTGAGTCTT CATTTCCATC ACCGTCTAAA TTTATTATTA AAACCTTATT 5640 ATATAAGGCT GTTGAGTTTA GAAATGTAAA TGCTGTAAAA AAAATATTAC AGAATGATAT 5700 TGAATATGTT AAAGTAGATA GTCATGGTGT CTCGCCTTTA CATATTATAG CTATGCCTTC 5760 AAATTTTTCT CTCATAGACG CTGACATGTA TTCAGAATTT AATGAAATTA GTAATAGACT 5820 TCAAAAATCT AAAGATAGTA ACGAATTTCA ACGAGTTAGT CTACTAAGGA CAATTATAGA 5880 ATATGGTAAT GATAGTGATA TTAATAAGTG TCTAACATTA GTAAAAACGG ATATACAGAG 5940 TAACGAAGAG ATAGATATTA TAGATCTTTT GATAAATAAA GGAATAGATA TAAATATTAA 6000 AGACGATTTA GGAAACACAG CTTTGCATTA CTCGTGTGAT TATGCTAAGG GATCAAAGAT 6060 AGCTAAAAAG TTACTAGATT GTGGAGCAGA TCCTAACATA GTTAATGATT TAGGTGTTAC 6120 ACCACTAGCG TGTGCCGTTA ATACTTGCAA CGAGATACTA GTAGATATTC TGTTAAATAA 6180 TGATGCGAAT CCTGATTCAT CTTCCTCATA TTTTTTAGGT ACTAATGTGT TACATACAGC 6240 CGTAGGTACC GGTAATATAG ATATTGTAAG ATCTTTACTT ACGGCTGGTG CCAATCCTAA 6300 TGTAGGAGAT AAATCTGGAG TTACTCCTTT GCACGTTGCT GCAGCTGATA AAGACAGTTA 6360 TCTGTTAATG GAGATGCTAC TAGATAGCGG GGCAGATCCA AATATAAAAT GCGCAAACGG 6420 TTTTACTCCT TTGTTTAATG CAGTATATGA TCATAACCGT ATAAAGTTAT TATTTCTTTA 6480 CGGGGCTGAT ATCAATATTA CTGACTCTTA CGGAAATACT CCTCTTACTT ATATGACTAA 6540 TTTTGATAAT AAATATGTAA ATTCAATAAT TATCTTACAA ATATATCTAC TTAAAAAAGA 6600 ATATAACGAT GAAAGATTGT TTCCACCTGG TATGATAAAA AATTTAAACT TTATAGAATC 6660 AAACGATAGT CTTAAAGTTA TAGCTAAAAA GTGTAATTCG TTAATACGCT ATAAGAAAAA 6720 TAAAGACATA GATGCAGATA ACGTATTATT GGAGCTTTTA GAGGAAGAGG AAGAAGATGA 6780 AATAGACAGA TGGCATACTA CATGTAAAAT ATCTTAAATA GTAATTAAAT CATTGAAATA 6840 TTAACTTACA AGATGATCGA GGTCACTTAT TATACTCTTT AATAATGGGT ACAAAGAGTA 6900 TTCATACGTT AGTTAAATCT AACGATGTAA TACGTGTTCG TGAATTAATA AAGGATGATA 6960 GATGTTTGAT AAATAAAAGA AATAGAAGAA ATCAGTCACC TGTATATATA GCTATATACA 7020 AAGGACTTTA TGAAATGACT GAAATGTTAT TGCTAAATAA TGCAAGTCTA GATACTAAAA 7080 TACCTTCTTT AATTATAGCA GCTAAAAATA ATGACTTACC TATGATAAAA TTATTGATAC 7140 AATACGGGGC AAAATTAAAT GATATTTATT TAAGGGACAC AGCATTAATG ATAGCTCTCA 7200 GAAATGGTTA CCTAGATATA GCTGAATATT TACTTTCATT AGGAGCAGAA TTTGTTAAAT 7260 ACAGACATAA GGTAATATAT AAATATCTAT CAAAAGATGC GTATGAATTA CTTTTTAGAT 7320 TTAATTATGC AGTTAATATA ATAGATTGAG A 7351 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 128 CAGTTGGTAC CACTGGTATT TTATTTCAG 29 61 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 129 TATCTGAATT CCTGCAGCCC GGGTTTTTAT AGCTAATTAG TCAAATGTGA GTTAATATTA 60 G 61 66 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 130 TCGCTGAATT CGATATCAAG CTTATCGATT TTTATGACTA GTTAATCAAA TAAAAAGCAT 60 ACAAGC 66 30 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 131 TTATCGAGCT CTGTAACATC AGTATCTAAC 30 37 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 132 TCCGGTACCG CGGCCGCAGA TATTTGTTAG CTTCTGC 37 33 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 133 TCGCTCGAGT AGGATACCTA CCTACTACCT ACG 33 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 134 TCGCTCGAGC TTTCTTGACA ATAACATAG 29 30 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 135 TAGGAGCTCT TTATACTACT GGGTTACAAC 30 17 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 136 AATTCCTCGA GGGATCC 17 15 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 137 CGGGATCCCT CGAGG 15 69 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 138 CCGGTTAATT AATTAGTTAT TAGACAAGGT GAAAACGAAA CTATTTGTAG CTTAATTAAT 60 TAGGTCACC 69 70 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 139 CCGGGGTCGA CCTAATTAAT TAAGCTACAA ATAGTTTCGT TTTCACCTTG TCTAATAACT 60 AATTAATTAA 70 39 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 140 CCCCCCGAAT TCGTCGACGA TTGTTCATGA TGGCAAGAT 39 68 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 141 CCCGGGGGAT CCCTCGAGGG TACCAAGCTT AATTAATTAA ATATTAGTAT AAAAAGTGAT 60 TTATTTTT 68 77 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 142 AAGCTTGGTA CCCTCGAGGG ATCCCCCGGG TAGCTAGCTA ATTTTTCTTT TACGTATTAT 60 ATATGTAATA AACGTTC 77 39 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 143 TTTTTTCTGC AGGTAAGTAT TTTTAAAACT TCTAACACC 39 2434 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 144 GAAGCAATAG CTTGTATGCT TTTTATTTGA TTAACTAGTC ATAAAAATCG GGATCCTTCT 60 TTATTCTATA CTTAAAAAGT GAAAATAAAT ACAAAGGTTC TTGAGGGTTG TGTTAAATTG 120 AAAGCGAGAA ATAATCATAA ATTATTTCAT TATCGCGATA TCCGTTAAGT TTGTATCGTA 180 ATGGAGTCTC CCTCGGCCCC TCCCCACAGA TGGTGCATCC CCTGGCAGAG GCTCCTGCTC 240 ACAGCCTCAC TTCTAACCTT CTGGAACCCG CCCACCACTG CCAAGCTCAC TATTGAATCC 300 ACGCCGTTCA ATGTCGCAGA GGGGAAGGAG GTGCTTCTAC TTGTCCACAA TCTGCCCCAG 360 CATCTTTTTG GCTACAGCTG GTACAAAGGT GAAAGAGTGG ATGGCAACCG TCAAATTATA 420 GGATATGTAA TAGGAACTCA ACAAGCTACC CCAGGGCCCG CATACAGTGG TCGAGAGATA 480 ATATACCCCA ATGCATCCCT GCTGATCCAG AACATCATCC AGAATGACAC AGGATTCTAC 540 ACCCTACACG TCATAAAGTC AGATCTTGTG AATGAAGAAG CAACTGGCCA GTTCCGGGTA 600 TACCCGGAGC TGCCCAAGCC CTCCATCTCC AGCAACAACT CCAAACCCGT GGAGGACAAG 660 GATGCTGTGG CCTTCACCTG TGAACCTGAG ACTCAGGACG CAACCTACCT GTGGTGGGTA 720 AACAATCAGA GCCTCCCGGT CAGTCCCAGG CTGCAGCTGT CCAATGGCAA CAGGACCCTC 780 ACTCTATTCA ATGTCACAAG AAATGACACA GCAAGCTACA AATGTGAAAC CCAGAACCCA 840 GTGAGTGCCA GGCGCAGTGA TTCAGTCATC CTGAATGTCC TCTATGGCCC GGATGCCCCC 900 ACCATTTCCC CTCTAAACAC ATCTTACAGA TCAGGGGAAA ATCTGAACCT CTCCTGCCAC 960 GCAGCCTCTA ACCCACCTGC ACAGTACTCT TGGTTTGTCA ATGGGACTTT CCAGCAATCC 1020 ACCCAAGAGC TCTTTATCCC CAACATCACT GTGAATAATA GTGGATCCTA TACGTGCCAA 1080 GCCCATAACT CAGACACTGG CCTCAATAGG ACCACAGTCA CGACGATCAC AGTCTATGCA 1140 GAGCCACCCA AACCCTTCAT CACCAGCAAC AACTCCAACC CCGTGGAGGA TGAGGATGCT 1200 GTAGCCTTAA CCTGTGAACC TGAGATTCAG AACACAACCT ACCTGTGGTG GGTAAATAAT 1260 CAGAGCCTCC CGGTCAGTCC CAGGCTGCAG CTGTCCAATG ACAACAGGAC CCTCACTCTA 1320 CTCAGTGTCA CAAGGAATGA TGTAGGACCC TATGAGTGTG GAATCCAGAA CGAATTAAGT 1380 GTTGACCACA GCGACCCAGT CATCCTGAAT GTCCTCTATG GCCCAGACGA CCCCACCATT 1440 TCCCCCTCAT ACACCTATTA CCGTCCAGGG GTGAACCTCA GCCTCTCCTG CCATGCAGCC 1500 TCTAACCCAC CTGCACAGTA TTCTTGGCTG ATTGATGGGA ACATCCAGCA ACACACACAA 1560 GAGCTCTTTA TCTCCAACAT CACTGAGAAG AACAGCGGAC TCTATACCTG CCAGGCCAAT 1620 AACTCAGCCA GTGGCCACAG CAGGACTACA GTCAAGACAA TCACAGTCTC TGCGGAGCTG 1680 CCCAAGCCCT CCATCTCCAG CAACAACTCC AAACCCGTGG AGGACAAGGA TGCTGTGGCC 1740 TTCACCTGTG AACCTGAGGC TCAGAACACA ACCTACCTGT GGTGGGTAAA TGGTCAGAGC 1800 CTCCCAGTCA GTCCCAGGCT GCAGCTGTCC AATGGCAACA GGACCCTCAC TCTATTCAAT 1860 GTCACAAGAA ATGACGCAAG AGCCTATGTA TGTGGAATCC AGAACTCAGT GAGTGCAAAC 1920 CGCAGTGACC CAGTCACCCT GGATGTCCTC TATGGGCCGG ACACCCCCAT CATTTCCCCC 1980 CCAGACTCGT CTTACCTTTC GGGAGCGAAC CTCAACCTCT CCTGCCACTC GGCCTCTAAC 2040 CCATCCCCGC AGTATTCTTG GCGTATCAAT GGGATACCGC AGCAACACAC ACAAGTTCTC 2100 TTTATCGCCA AAATCACGCC AAATAATAAC GGGACCTATG CCTGTTTTGT CTCTAACTTG 2160 GCTACTGGCC GCAATAATTC CATAGTCAAG AGCATCACAG TCTCTGCATC TGGAACTTCT 2220 CCTGGTCTCT CAGCTGGGGC CACTGTCGGC ATCATGATTG GAGTGCTGGT TGGGGTTGCT 2280 CTGATATAGT TTTTATCTCG AGGAATTCCT GCAGCCCGGG GTGACCTAAT TAATTAAGCT 2340 ACAAATAGTT TCGTTTTCAC CTTGTCTAAT AACTAATTAA TTAACCGGGT TTTTATAGCT 2400 AATTAGTCAA ATGTGAGTTA ATATTAGTAT ACTA 2434 2349 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 145 TAAAAATAAA TCACTTTTTA TACTAATATT TAATTAATTA AGCTTGGTAC CCTCGAAGCT 60 TCTTTATTCT ATACTTAAAA AGTGAAAATA AATACAAAGG TTCTTGAGGG TTGTGTTAAA 120 TTGAAAGCGA GAAATAATCA TAAATTATTT CATTATCGCG ATATCCGTTA AGTTTGTATC 180 GTAATGGAGT CTCCCTCGGC CCCTCCCCAC AGATGGTGCA TCCCCTGGCA GAGGCTCCTG 240 CTCACAGCCT CACTTCTAAC CTTCTGGAAC CCGCCCACCA CTGCCAAGCT CACTATTGAA 300 TCCACGCCGT TCAATGTCGC AGAGGGGAAG GAGGTGCTTC TACTTGTCCA CAATCTGCCC 360 CAGCATCTTT TTGGCTACAG CTGGTACAAA GGTGAAAGAG TGGATGGCAA CCGTCAAATT 420 ATAGGATATG TAATAGGAAC TCAACAAGCT ACCCCAGGGC CCGCATACAG TGGTCGAGAG 480 ATAATATACC CCAATGCATC CCTGCTGATC CAGAACATCA TCCAGAATGA CACAGGATTC 540 TACACCCTAC ACGTCATAAA GTCAGATCTT GTGAATGAAG AAGCAACTGG CCAGTTCCGG 600 GTATACCCGG AGCTGCCCAA GCCCTCCATC TCCAGCAACA ACTCCAAACC CGTGGAGGAC 660 AAGGATGCTG TGGCCTTCAC CTGTGAACCT GAGACTCAGG ACGCAACCTA CCTGTGGTGG 720 GTAAACAATC AGAGCCTCCC GGTCAGTCCC AGGCTGCAGC TGTCCAATGG CAACAGGACC 780 CTCACTCTAT TCAATGTCAC AAGAAATGAC ACAGCAAGCT ACAAATGTGA AACCCAGAAC 840 CCAGTGAGTG CCAGGCGCAG TGATTCAGTC ATCCTGAATG TCCTCTATGG CCCGGATGCC 900 CCCACCATTT CCCCTCTAAA CACATCTTAC AGATCAGGGG AAAATCTGAA CCTCTCCTGC 960 CACGCAGCCT CTAACCCACC TGCACAGTAC TCTTGGTTTG TCAATGGGAC TTTCCAGCAA 1020 TCCACCCAAG AGCTCTTTAT CCCCAACATC ACTGTGAATA ATAGTGGATC CTATACGTGC 1080 CAAGCCCATA ACTCAGACAC TGGCCTCAAT AGGACCACAG TCACGACGAT CACAGTCTAT 1140 GCAGAGCCAC CCAAACCCTT CATCACCAGC AACAACTCCA ACCCCGTGGA GGATGAGGAT 1200 GCTGTAGCCT TAACCTGTGA ACCTGAGATT CAGAACACAA CCTACCTGTG GTGGGTAAAT 1260 AATCAGAGCC TCCCGGTCAG TCCCAGGCTG CAGCTGTCCA ATGACAACAG GACCCTCACT 1320 CTACTCAGTG TCACAAGGAA TGATGTAGGA CCCTATGAGT GTGGAATCCA GAACGAATTA 1380 AGTGTTGACC ACAGCGACCC AGTCATCCTG AATGTCCTCT ATGGCCCAGA CGACCCCACC 1440 ATTTCCCCCT CATACACCTA TTACCGTCCA GGGGTGAACC TCAGCCTCTC CTGCCATGCA 1500 GCCTCTAACC CACCTGCACA GTATTCTTGG CTGATTGATG GGAACATCCA GCAACACACA 1560 CAAGAGCTCT TTATCTCCAA CATCACTGAG AAGAACAGCG GACTCTATAC CTGCCAGGCC 1620 AATAACTCAG CCAGTGGCCA CAGCAGGACT ACAGTCAAGA CAATCACAGT CTCTGCGGAG 1680 CTGCCCAAGC CCTCCATCTC CAGCAACAAC TCCAAACCCG TGGAGGACAA GGATGCTGTG 1740 GCCTTCACCT GTGAACCTGA GGCTCAGAAC ACAACCTACC TGTGGTGGGT AAATGGTCAG 1800 AGCCTCCCAG TCAGTCCCAG GCTGCAGCTG TCCAATGGCA ACAGGACCCT CACTCTATTC 1860 AATGTCACAA GAAATGACGC AAGAGCCTAT GTATGTGGAA TCCAGAACTC AGTGAGTGCA 1920 AACCGCAGTG ACCCAGTCAC CCTGGATGTC CTCTATGGGC CGGACACCCC CATCATTTCC 1980 CCCCCAGACT CGTCTTACCT TTCGGGAGCG AACCTCAACC TCTCCTGCCA CTCGGCCTCT 2040 AACCCATCCC CGCAGTATTC TTGGCGTATC AATGGGATAC CGCAGCAACA CACACAAGTT 2100 CTCTTTATCG CCAAAATCAC GCCAAATAAT AACGGGACCT ATGCCTGTTT TGTCTCTAAC 2160 TTGGCTACTG GCCGCAATAA TTCCATAGTC AAGAGCATCA CAGTCTCTGC ATCTGGAACT 2220 TCTCCTGGTC TCTCAGCTGG GGCCACTGTC GGCATCATGA TTGGAGTGCT GGTTGGGGTT 2280 GCTCTGATAT AGTTTTTATC TCGAGGGATC CCCCGGGTAG CTAGCTAATT TTTCTTTTAC 2340 GTATTATAT 2349 42 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 146 ATCATCGGAT CCCTGCAGCC CGGGTTAATT AATTAGTGAT AC 42 38 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 147 GAGCTGCATG CTGTACATTA CGATACAAAC TTAACGGA 38 36 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 148 CGTTAAGTTT GTATCGTAAT GTACAGCATG CAGCTG 36 38 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 149 GAGGAGGAAT TCCCCGGGTT ATTGAGGGCT TGTTGAGA 38 510 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 150 ATGTACAGCA TGCAGCTCGC ATCCTGTGTC ACATTGACAC TTGTGCTCCT TGTCAACAGC 60 GCACCCACTT CAAGCTCCAC TTCAAGCTCT ACAGCGGAAG CACAGCAGCA GCAGCAGCAG 120 CAGCAGCAGC AGCAGCAGCA CCTGGAGCAG CTGTTGATGG ACCTACAGGA GCTCCTGAGC 180 AGGATGGAGA ATTACAGGAA CCTGAAACTC CCCAGGATGC TCACCTTCAA ATTTTACTTG 240 CCCAAGCAGG CCACAGAATT GAAAGATCTT CAGTGCCTAG AAGATGAACT TGGACCTCTG 300 CGGCATGTTC TGGATTTGAC TCAAAGCAAA AGCTTTCAAT TGGAAGATGC TGAGAATTTC 360 ATCAGCAATA TCAGAGTAAC TGTTGTAAAA CTAAAGGGCT CTGACAACAC ATTTGAGTGC 420 CAATTCGATG ATGAGTCAGC AACTGTGGTG GACTTTCTGA GGAGATGGAT AGCCTTCTGT 480 CAAAGCATCA TCTCAACAAG CCCTCAATAA 510 17 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 151 GGCCGCGTCG ACATGCA 17 9 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 152 TGTCGACGC 9 14 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 153 GGTCGACGGA TCCT 14 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 154 GATCAGGATC CGTCGACCTG CA 22 38 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 155 GAGTTGCATC CTGTACATTA CGATACAAAC TTAACGGA 38 36 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 156 CGTTAAGTTT GTATCGTAAT GTACAGGATG CAACTC 36 79 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 157 TTGTAGCTGT GTTTTCTTTG TAGAACTTGA AGTAGGTGCA CTGTTTGTGA CAAGTGCAAG 60 ACTTAGTGCA ATGCAAGAC 79 79 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 158 TTCTACAAAG AAAACACAGC TACAACTGGA GCATTTACTT CTGGATTTAC AGATGATTTT 60 GAATGGAATT AATAATTAC 79 462 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 159 ATGTACAGGA TGCAACTCCT GTCTTGCATT GCACTAAGTC TTGCACTTGT CACAAACAGT 60 GCACCTACTT CAAGTTCTAC AAAGAAAACA CAGCTACAAC TGGAGCATTT ACTTCTGGAT 120 TTACAGATGA TTTTGAATGG AATTAATAAT TACAAGAATC CCAAACTCAC CAGGATGCTC 180 ACATTTAAGT TTTACATGCC CAAGAAGGCC ACAGAACTGA AACATCTTCA GTGTCTAGAA 240 GAAGAACTCA AACCTCTGGA GGAAGTGCTA AATTTAGCTC AAAGCAAAAA CTTTCACTTA 300 AGACCCAGGG ACTTAATCAG CAATATCAAC GTAATAGTTC TGGAACTAAA GGGATCTGAA 360 ACAACATTCA TGTGTGAATA TGCTGATGAG ACAGCAACCA TTGTAGAATT TCTGAACAGA 420 TGGATTACCT TTTGTCAAAG CATCATCTCA ACACTGACTT GA 462 38 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 160 GAGGAGGAAT TCCCCGGGTC AAGTCAGTGT TGAGATGA 38 23 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 161 TAATCATGAA CGCTACACAC TGC 23 33 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 162 CCCGGATCCC TGCAGTTATT GGGACAATCT CTT 33 598 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 163 ACATCATGCA GTGGTTAAAC AAAAACATTT TTATTCTCAA ATGAGATAAA GTGAAAATAT 60 ATATCATTAT ATTACAAAGT ACAATTATTT AGGTTTAATC ATGAACGCTA CACACTGCAT 120 CTTGGCTTTG CAGCTCTTCC TCATGGCTGT TTCTGGCTGT TACTGCCACG GCACAGTCAT 180 TGAAAGCCTA GAAAGTCTGA ATAACTATTT TAACTCAAGT GGCATAGATG TGGAAGAAAA 240 GAGTCTCTTC TTGGATATCT GGAGGAACTG GCAAAAGGAT GGTGACATGA AAATCCTGCA 300 GAGCCAGATT ATCTCTTTCT ACCTCAGACT CTTTGAAGTC TTGAAAGACA ATCAGGCCAT 360 CAGCAACAAC ATAAGCGTCA TTGAATCACA CCTGATTACT ACCTTCTTCA GCAACAGCAA 420 GGCGAAAAAG GATGCATTCA TGAGTATTGC CAAGTTTGAG GTCAACAACC CACAGGTCCA 480 GCGCCAAGCA TTCAATGAGC TCATCCGAGT GGTCCACCAG CTGTTGCCGG AATCCAGCCT 540 CAGGAAGCGG AAAAGGAGTC GCTGCTGATT CGGGGTGGGG AAGAGATTGT CCCAATAA 598 97 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 164 TAATCATGAA ATATACAAGT TATATCTTGG CTTTTCAGCT CTGCATCGTT TTGGGTTCTC 60 TTGGCTGTTA CTGCCAGGAC CCATATGTAA AAGAAGC 97 106 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 165 TTCTTCAAAA TGCCTAAGAA AAGAGTTCCA TTATCCGCTA CATCTGAATG ACCTGCATTA 60 AAATATTTCT TAAGGTTTTC TGCTTCTTTT ACATATGGGT CCTGGC 106 45 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 166 TCTTTTCTTA GGCATTTTGA AGAATTGGAA AGAGGAGAGT GACAG 45 34 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 167 CCCGGATCCC TGCAGTTACT GGGATGCTCT TCGA 34 601 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 168 ACATCATGCA GTGGTTAAAC AAAAACATTT TTATTCTCAA ATGAGATAAA GTGAAAATAT 60 ATATCATTAT ATTACAAAGT ACAATTATTT AGGTTTAATC ATGAAATATA CAAGTTATAT 120 CTTGGCTTTT CAGCTCTGCA TCGTTTTGGG TTCTCTTGGC TGTTACTGCC AGGACCCATA 180 TGTAAAAGAA GCAGAAAACC TTAAGAAATA TTTTAATGCA GGTCATTCAG ATGTAGCGGA 240 TAATGGAACT CTTTTCTTAG GCATTTTGAA GAATTGGAAA GAGGAGAGTG ACAGAAAAAT 300 AATGCAGAGC CAAATTGTCT CCTTTTACTT CAAACTTTTT AAAAACTTTA AAGATGACCA 360 GAGCATCCAA AAGAGTGTGG AGACCATCAA GGAAGACATG AATGTCAAGT TTTTCAATAG 420 CAACAAAAAG AAACGAGATG ACTTCGAAAA GCTGACTAAT TATTCGGTAA CTGACTTGAA 480 TGTCCAACGC AAAGCAATAC ATGAACTCAT CCAAGTGATG GCTGAACTGT CGCCAGCAGC 540 TAAAACAGGG AAGCGAAAAA GGAGTCAGAT GCTGTTTCAA GGTCGAAGAG CATCCCAGTA 600 A 601 3063 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 169 AAGCTTCTAT CAAAAGTCTT AATGAGTTAG GTGTAGATAG TATAGATATT ACTACAAAGG 60 TATTCATATT TCCTATCAAT TCTAAAGTAG ATGATATTAA TAACTCAAAG ATGATGATAG 120 TAGATAATAG ATACGCTCAT ATAATGACTG CAAATTTGGA CGGTTCACAT TTTAATCATC 180 ACGCGTTCAT AAGTTTCAAC TGCATAGATC AAAATCTCAC TAAAAAGATA GCCGATGTAT 240 TTGAGAGAGA TTGGACATCT AACTACGCTA AAGAAATTAC AGTTATAAAT AATACATAAT 300 GGATTTTGTT ATCATCAGTT ATATTTAACA TAAGTACAAT AAAAAGTATT AAATAAAAAT 360 ACTTACTTAC GAAAAAATGT CATTATTACA AAAACTATAT TTTACAGAAC AATCTATAGT 420 AGAGTCCTTT AAGAGTTATA ATTTAAAAGA TAACCATAAT GTAATATTTA CCACATCAGA 480 TGATGATACT GTTGTAGTAA TAAATGAAGA TAATGTACTG TTATCTACAA GATTATTATC 540 ATTTGATAAA ATTCTGTTTT TTAACTCCTT TAATAACGGT TTATCAAAAT ACGAAACTAT 600 TAGTGATACA ATATTAGATA TAGATACTCA TAATTATTAT ATACCTAGTT CTTCTTCTTT 660 GTTAGATATT CTAAAAAAAA GAGCGTGTGA TTTAGAATTA GAAGATCTAA ATTATGCGTT 720 AATAGGAGAC AATAGTAACT TATATTATAA AGATATGACT TACATGAATA ATTGGTTATT 780 TACTAAAGGA TTATTAGATT ACAAGTTTGT ATTATTGCGC GATGTAGATA AATGTTACAA 840 ACAGTATAAT AAAAAGAATA CTATAATAGA TATAATACAT CGCGATAACA GACAGTATAA 900 CATATGGGTT AAAAATGTTA TAGAATACTG TTCTCCTGGC TATATATTAT GGTTACATGA 960 TCTAAAAGCC GCTGCTGAAG ATGATTGGTT AAGATACGAT AACCGTATAA ACGAATTATC 1020 TGCGGATAAA TTATACACTT TCGAGTTCAT AGTTATATTA GAAAATAATA TAAAACATTT 1080 ACGAGTAGGT ACAATAATTG TACATCCAAA CAAGATAATA GCTAATGGTA CATCTAATAA 1140 TATACTTACT GATTTTCTAT CTTACGTAGA AGAACTAATA TATCATCATA ATTCATCTAT 1200 AATATTGGCC GGATATTTTT TAGAATTCTT TGAGACCACT ATTTTATCAG AATTTATTTC 1260 TTCATCTTCT GAATGGGTAA TGAATAGTAA CTGTTTAGTA CACCTGAAAA CAGGGTATGA 1320 AGCTATACTC TTTGATGCTA GTTTATTTTT CCAACTCTCT ACTAAAAGCA ATTATGTAAA 1380 ATATTGGACA AAGAAAACTT TGCAGTATAA GAACTTTTTT AAAGACGGTA AACAGTTAGC 1440 AAAATATATA ATTAAGAAAG ATAGTCAGGT GATAGATAGA GTATGTTATT TACACGCAGC 1500 TGTATATAAT CACGTAACTT ACTTAATGGA TACGTTTAAA ATTCCTGGTT TTGATTTTAA 1560 ATTCTCCGGA ATGATAGATA TACTACTGTT TGGAATATTG CATAAGGATA ATGAGAATAT 1620 ATTTTATCCG AAACGTGTTT CTGTAACTAA TATAATATCA GAATCTATCT ATGCAGATTT 1680 TTACTTTATA TCAGATGTTA ATAAATTCAG TAAAAAGATA GAATATAAAA CTATGTTTCC 1740 TATACTCGCA GAAAACTACT ATCCAAAAGG AAGGCCCTAT TTTACACATA CATCTAACGA 1800 AGATCTTCTG TCTATCTGTT TATGCGAAGT AACAGTTTGT AAAGATATAA AAAATCCATT 1860 ATTATATTCT AAAAAGGATA TATCAGCAAA ACGATTCATA GGTTTATTTA CATCTGTCGA 1920 TATAAATACG GCTGTTGAGT TAAGAGGATA TAAAATAAGA GTAATAGGAT GTTTAGAATG 1980 GCCTGAAAAG ATAAAAATAT TTAATTCTAA TCCTACATAC ATTAGATTAT TACTAACAGA 2040 AAGACGTTTA GATATTCTAC ATTCCTATCT GCTTAAATTT AATATAACAG AGGATATAGC 2100 TACCAGAGAT GGAGTCAGAA ATAATTTACC TATAATTTCT TTTATCGTCA GTTATTGTAG 2160 ATCGTATACT TATAAATTAC TAAATTGCCA TATGTACAAT TCGTGTAAGA TAACAAAGTG 2220 TAAATATAAT CAGGTAATAT ATAATCCTAT ATAGGAGTAT ATATAATTGA AAAAGTAAAA 2280 TATAAATCAT ATAATAATGA AACGAAATAT CAGTAATAGA CAGGAACTGG CAGATTCTTC 2340 TTCTAATGAA GTAAGTACTG CTAAATCTCC AAAATTAGAT AAAAATGATA CAGCAAATAC 2400 AGCTTCATTC AACGAATTAC CTTTTAATTT TTTCAGACAC ACCTTATTAC AAACTAACTA 2460 AGTCAGATGA TGAGAAAGTA AATATAAATT TAACTTATGG GTATAATATA ATAAAGATTC 2520 ATGATATTAA TAATTTACTT AACGATGTTA ATAGACTTAT TCCATCAACC CCTTCAAACC 2580 TTTCTGGATA TTATAAAATA CCAGTTAATG ATATTAAAAT AGATTGTTTA AGAGATGTAA 2640 ATAATTATTT GGAGGTAAAG GATATAAAAT TAGTCTATCT TTCACATGGA AATGAATTAC 2700 CTAATATTAA TAATTATGAT AGGAATTTTT TAGGATTTAC AGCTGTTATA TGTATCAACA 2760 ATACAGGCAG ATCTATGGTT ATGGTAAAAC ACTGTAACGG GAAGCAGCAT TCTATGGTAA 2820 CTGGCCTATG TTTAATAGCC AGATCATTTT ACTCTATAAA CATTTTACCA CAAATAATAG 2880 GATCCTCTAG ATATTTAATA TTATATCTAA CAACAACAAA AAAATTTAAC GATGTATGGC 2940 CAGAAGTATT TTCTACTAAT AAAGATAAAG ATAGTCTATC TTATCTACAA GATATGAAAG 3000 AAGATAATCA TTTAGTAGTA GCTACTAATA TGGAAAGAAA TGTATACAAA AACGTGGAAG 3060 CTT 3063 42 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 170 ATCATCGAGC TCGCGGCCGC CTATCAAAAG TCTTAATGAG TT 42 73 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 171 GAATTCCTCG AGCTGCAGCC CGGGTTTTTA TAGCTAATTA GTCATTTTTT CGTAAGTAAG 60 TATTTTTATT TAA 73 72 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 172 CCCGGGCTGC AGCTCGAGGA ATTCTTTTTA TTGATTAACT AGTCAAATGA GTATATATAA 60 TTGAAAAAGT AA 72 45 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 173 GATGATGGTA CCTTCATAAA TACAAGTTTG ATTAAACTTA AGTTG 45 1615 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 174 GAGCTCGCGG CCGCCTATCA AAAGTCTTAA TGAGTTAGGT GTAGATAGTA TAGATATTAC 60 TACAAAGGTA TTCATATTTC CTATCAATTC TAAAGTAGAT GATATTAATA ACTCAAAGAT 120 GATGATAGTA GATAATAGAT ACGCTCATAT AATGACTGCA AATTTGGACG GTTCACATTT 180 TAATCATCAC GCGTTCATAA GTTTCAACTG CATAGATCAA AATCTCACTA AAAAGATAGC 240 CGATGTATTT GAGAGAGATT GGACATCTAA CTACGCTAAA GAAATTACAG TTATAAATAA 300 TACATAATGG ATTTTGTTAT CATCAGTTAT ATTTAACATA AGTACAATAA AAAGTATTAA 360 ATAAAAATAC TTACTTACGA AAAATGACTA ATTAGCTATA AAAACCCGGG CTGCAGCTCG 420 AGGAATTCTT TTTATTGATT AACTAGTCAA ATGAGTATAT ATAATTGAAA AAGTAAAATA 480 TAAATCATAT AATAATGAAA CGAAATATCA GTAATAGACA GGAACTGGCA GATTCTTCTT 540 CTAATGAAGT AAGTACTGCT AAATCTCCAA AATTAGATAA AAATGATACA GCAAATACAG 600 CTTCATTCAA CGAATTACCT TTTAATTTTT TCAGACACAC CTTATTACAA ACTAACTAAG 660 TCAGATGATG AGAAAGTAAA TATAAATTTA ACTTATGGGT ATAATATAAT AAAGATTCAT 720 GATATTAATA ATTTACTTAA CGATGTTAAT AGACTTATTC CATCAACCCC TTCAAACCTT 780 TCTGGATATT ATAAAATACC AGTTAATGAT ATTAAAATAG ATTGTTTAAG AGATGTAAAT 840 AATTATTTGG AGGTAAAGGA TATAAAATTA GTCTATCTTT CACATGGAAA TGAATTACCT 900 AATATTAATA ATTATGATAG GAATTTTTTA GGATTTACAG CTGTTATATG TATCAACAAT 960 ACAGGCAGAT CTATGGTTAT GGTAAAACAC TGTAACGGGA AGCAGCATTC TATGGTAACT 1020 TGGCCTATGT TTAATAGCCA GATCATTTTA CTCTATAAAC ATTTTACCAC AAATAATAGG 1080 ATCCTCTAGA TATTTAATAT TATATCTAAC AACAACAAAA AAATTTAACG ATGTATGGCC 1140 AGAAGTATTT TCTACTAATA AAGATAAAGA TAGTCTATCT TATCTACAAG ATATGAAAGA 1200 AGATAATCAT TTAGTAGTAG CTACTAATAT GGAAAGAAAT GTATACAAAA ACGTGGAAGC 1260 TTTTATATTA AATAGCATAT TACTAGAAGA TTTAAAATCT AGACTTAGTA TAACAAAACA 1320 GTTAAATGCC AATATCGATT CTATATTTCA TCATAACAGT AGTACATTAA TCAGTGATAT 1380 ACTGAAACGA TCTACAGACT CAACTATGCA AGGAATAAGC AATATGCCAA TTATGTCTAA 1440 TATTTTAACT TTAGAACTAA AACGTTCTAC CAATACTAAA AATAGGATAC GTGATAGGCT 1500 GTTAAAAGCT GCAATAAATA GTAAGGATGT AGAAGAAATA CTTTGTTCTA TACCTTCGGA 1560 GGAAAGAACT TTAGAACAAC TTAAGTTTAA TCAAACTTGT ATTTATGAAG GTACC 1615 83 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 175 TTAATCAGGA TCCTTAATTA ATTAGTTATT AGACAAGGTG AAACGAAACT ATTTGTAGCT 60 TAATTAATTA GCTGCAGCCC GGG 83 84 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 176 CCCGGGCTGC AGCTAATTAA TTAAGCTACA AATAGTTTCG TTTTCACCTT GTCTAATAAC 60 TAATTAATTA AGGATCCTGA TTAA 84 31 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 177 CAAAATTGAA AATATATAAT TACAATATAA A 31 490 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 178 GAATTCGAAT AAAAAAATGA TAAAGTAGGT TCAGTTTTAT TGCTGGTTGT GTTAGTTCTC 60 TCTAAAAATG GGTCTCAACC CCCAGCTAGT TGTCATCCTG CTCTTCTTTC TCGAATGTAC 120 CAGGAGCCAT ATCCACGGAT GCGACAAAAA TCACTTGAGA GAGATCATCG GCATTTTGAA 180 CGAGGTCACA GGAGAAGGGA CGCCATGCAC GGAGATGGAT GTGCCAAACG TCCTCACAGC 240 AACGAAGAAC ACCACAGAGA GTGAGCTCGT CTGTAGGGCT TCCAAGGTGC TTCGTATATT 300 TTATTTAAAA CATGGGAAAA CTCCATGCTT GAAGAAGAAC TCTAGTGTTC TCATGGAGCT 360 GCAGAGACTC TTTCGGGCTT TTCGATGCCT GGATTCATCG ATAAGCTGCA CCATGAATGA 420 GTCCAAGTCC ACATCACTGA AAGACTTCCT GGAAAGCCTA AAGAGCATCA TGCAAATGGA 480 TTACTCGTAG 490 99 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 179 CTCACCCGGG TACCGAATTC GAATAAAAAA ATGATAAAGT AGGTTCAGTT TTATTGCTGG 60 TTGTGTTAGT TCTCTCTAAA AATGGGTCTC AACCCCCAG 99 55 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 180 TTAGGGATCC AGATCTCGAG ATAAAAACTA CGAGTAATCC ATTTGCATGA TGCTC 55 47 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 181 GCTGGTTGTG TTAGTTCTCT CTAAAAATGG GTCTCACCTC CCAACTG 47 53 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 182 ATCATCTCTA GAATAAAAAT CAGCTCGAAC ACTTTGAATA TTTCTCTCTC ATG 53 73 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 183 ATCATCAAGC TTGAATAAAA AAATGATAAA GTAGGTTCAG TTTTATTGCT GGTTGTGTTA 60 GTTCTCTCTA AAA 73 61 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 184 TTTTAGAGAG AACTAACACA ACCAGCAATA AAACTGAACC TACTTTATCA TTTTTTTATT 60 C 61 40 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 185 ATCATCAAGC TTGAATAAAA AAATGATAAA GTAGGTTCAG 40 523 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 186 GAATAAAAAA ATGATAAAGT AGGTTCAGTT TTATTGCTGG TTGTGTTAGT TCTCTCTAAA 60 AATGGGTCTC ACCTCCCAAC TGCTTCCCCC TCTGTTCTTC CTGCTAGCAT GTGCCGGCAA 120 CTTTGTCCAC GGACACAAGT GCGATATCAC CTTACAGGAG ATCATCAAAA CTTTGAACAG 180 CCTCACAGAG CAGAAGACTC TGTGCACCGA GTTGACCGTA ACAGACATCT TTGCTGCCTC 240 CAAGAACACA ACTGAGAAGG AAACCTTCTG CAGGGCTGCG ACTGTGCTCC GGCAGTTCTA 300 CAGCCACCAT GAGAAGGACA CTCGCTGCCT GGGTGCGACT GCACAGCAGT TCCACAGGCA 360 CAAGCAGCTG ATCCGATTCC TGAAACGGCT CGACAGGAAC CTCTGGGGCC TGGCGGGCTT 420 GAATTCCTGT CCTGTGAAGG AAGCCAACCA GAGTACGTTG GAAAACTTCT TGGAAAGGCT 480 AAAGACGATC ATGAGAGAGA AATATTCAAA GTGTTCGAGC TGA 523 47 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 187 GCTGGTTGTG TTAGTTCTCT CTAAAAATGT GGCTGCAGAG CCTGCTG 47 53 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 188 ATCATCCTCG AGATAAAAAT CACTCCTGGA CTGGCTCCCA GCAGTCAAAG GGG 53 73 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 189 ATCATCCCCG GGGAATAAAA AAATGATAAA GTAGGTTCAG TTTTATTGCT GGTTGTGTTA 60 GTTCTCTCTA AAA 73 40 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 190 ATCATCCCCG GGGAATAAAA AAATGATAAA GTAGGTTCAG 40 496 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 191 GAATAAAAAA ATGATAAAGT AGGTTCAGTT TTATTGCTGG TTGTGTTAGT TCTCTCTAAA 60 AATGTGGCTG CAGAGCCTGC TGCTCTTGGG CACTGTGGCC TGCAGCATCT CTGCACCCGC 120 CCGCTCGCCC AGCCCCAGCA CGCAGCCCTG GGAGCATGTG AATGCCATCC AGGAGGCCCG 180 GCGTCTCCTG AACCTGAGTA GAGACACTGC TGCTGAGATG AATGAAACAG TAGAAGTCAT 240 CTCAGAAATG TTTGACCTCC AGGAGCCGAC CTGCCTACAG ACCCGCCTGG AGCTGTACAA 300 GCAGGGCCTG CGGGGCAGCC TCACCAAGCT CAAGGGCCCC TTGACCATGA TGGCCAGCCA 360 CTACAAGCAG CACTGCCCTC CAACCCCGGA AACTTCCTGT GCAACCCAGA CTATCACCTT 420 TGAAAGTTTC AAAGAGAACC TGAAGGACTT TCTGCTTGTC ATCCCCTTTG ACTGCTGGGA 480 GCCAGTCCAG GAGTGA 496 69 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 192 CATCATATCG ATGGTACCTC AAAATTGAAA ATATATAATT ACAATATAAA ATGTGTCACC 60 AGCAGTTGG 69 38 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 193 TACTACGAGC TCTCAGATAG AAATTATATC TTTTTGGG 38 1018 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 194 CAAAATTGAA AATATATAAT TACAATATAA AATGTGTCAC CAGCAGTTGG TCATCTCTTG 60 GTTTTCCCTG GTTTTTCTGG CATCTCCCCT CGTGGCCATA TGGGAACTGA AGAAAGATGT 120 TTATGTCGTA GAATTGGATT GGTATCCGGA TGCCCCTGGA GAAATGGTGG TCCTCACCTG 180 TGACACCCCT GAAGAAGATG GTATCACCTG GACCTTGGAC CAGAGCAGTG AGGTCTTAGG 240 CTCTGGCAAA ACCCTGACCA TCCAAGTCAA AGAGTTTGGA GATGCTGGCC AGTACACCTG 300 TCACAAAGGA GGCGAGGTTC TAAGCCATTC GCTCCTGCTG CTTCACAAAA AGGAAGATGG 360 AATTTGGTCC ACTGATATTT TAAAGGACCA GAAAGAACCC AAAAATAAGA CCTTTCTAAG 420 ATGCGAGGCC AAGAATTATT CTGGACGTTT CACCTGCTGG TGGCTGACGA CAATCAGTAC 480 TGATTTGACA TTCAGTGTCA AAAGCAGCAG AGGCTCTTCT GACCCCCAAG GGGTGACGTG 540 CGGAGCTGCT ACACTCTCTG CAGAGAGAGT CAGAGGGGAC AACAAGGAGT ATGAGTACTC 600 AGTGGAGTGC CAGGAGGACA GTGCCTGCCC AGCTGCTGAG GAGAGTCTGC CCATTGAGGT 660 CATGGTGGAT GCCGTTCACA AGCTCAAGTA TGAAAACTAC ACCAGCAGCT TCTTCATCAG 720 GGACATCATC AAACCTGACC CACCCAAGAA CTTGCAGCTG AAGCCATTAA AGAATTCTCG 780 GCAGGTGGAG GTCAGCTGGG AGTACCCTGA CACCTGGAGT ACTCCACATT CCTACTTCTC 840 CCTGACATTC TGCGTTCAGG TCCAGGGCAA GAGCAAGAGA GAAAAGAAAG ATAGAGTCTT 900 CACGGACAAG ACCTCAGCCA CGGTCATCTG CCGCAAAAAT GCCAGCATTA GCGTGCGGGC 960 CCAGGACCGC TACTATAGCT CATCTTGGAG CGAATGGGCA TCTGTGCCCT GCAGTTAG 1018 63 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 195 CATCATGGTA CCTCAAAATT GAAAATATAT AATTACAATA TAAAATGTGT CCAGCGCGCA 60 GCC 63 31 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 196 TACTACATCG ATTTAGGAAG CATTCAGATA G 31 92 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 197 CATCATGGTA CCGAATAAAA AAATGATAAA GTAGGTTCAG TTTTATTGCT GGTTGTGTTA 60 GTTCTCTCTA AAAATGTGTC CAGCGCGCAG CC 92 39 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 198 CATCATATCG ATTTAGGAAG CATTCAGATA GCTCGTCAC 39 721 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 199 GAATAAAAAA ATGATAAAGT AGGTTCAGTT TTATTGCTGG TTGTGTTAGT TCTCTCTAAA 60 AATGTGTCCA GCGCGCAGCC TCCTCCTTGT GGCTACCCTG GTCCTCCTGG ACCACCTCAG 120 TTTGGCCAGA AACCTCCCCG TGGCCACTCC AGACCCAGGA ATGTTCCCAT GCCTTCACCA 180 CTCCCAAAAC CTGCTGAGGG CCGTCAGCAA CATGCTCCAG AAGGCCAGAC AAACTCTAGA 240 ATTTTACCCT TGCACTTCTG AAGAGATTGA TCATGAAGAT ATCACAAAAG ATAAAACCAG 300 CACAGTGGAG GCCTGTTTAC CATTGGAATT AACCAAGAAT GAGAGTTGCC TAAATTCCAG 360 AGAGACCTCT TTCATAACTA ATGGGAGTTG CCTGGCCTCC AGAAAGACCT CTTTTATGAT 420 GGCCCTGTGC CTTAGTAGTA TTTATGAAGA CTTGAAGATG TACCAGGTGG AGTTCAAGAC 480 CATGAATGCA AAGCTTCTGA TGGATCCTAA GAGGCAGATC TTTCTAGATC AAAACATGCT 540 GGCAGTTATT GATGAGCTGA TGCAGGCCCT GAATTTCAAC AGTGAGACTG TGCCACAAAA 600 ATCCTCCCTT GAAGAACCGG ATTTTTATAA AACTAAAATC AAGCTCTGCA TACTTCTTCA 660 TGCTTTCAGA ATTCGGGCAG TGACTATTGA CAGAGTGACG AGCTATCTGA ATGCTTCCTA 720 A 721 60 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 200 TATCTGGAAT TCTATCGCGA TATCCGTTAA GTTTGTATCG TAATGGCTTG CAATTGTCAG 60 30 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 201 ATCGTAAGCT TACTAAAGGA AGACGGTCTG 30 921 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 202 ATGGCTTGCA ATTGTCAGTT GATGCAGGAT ACACCACTCC TCAAGTTTCC ATGTCCAAGG 60 CTCATTCTTC TCTTTGTGCT GCTGATTCGT CTTTCACAAG TGTCTTCAGA TGTTGATGAA 120 CAACTGTCCA AGTCAGTGAA AGATAAGGTA TTGCTGCCTT GCCGTTACAA CTCTCCTCAT 180 GAAGATGAGT CTGAAGACCG AATCTACTGG CAAAAACATG ACAAAGTGGT GCTGTCTGTC 240 ATTGCTGGGA AACTAAAAGT GTGGCCCGAG TATAAGAACC GGACTTTATA TGACAACACT 300 ACCTACTCTC TTATCATCCT GGGCCTGGTC CTTTCAGACC GGGGCACATA CAGCTGTGTC 360 GTTCAAAAGA AGGAAAGAGG AACGTATGAA GTTAAACACT TGGCTTTAGT AAAGTTGTCC 420 ATCAAAGCTG ACTTCTCTAC CCCCAACATA ACTGAGTCTG GAAACCCATC TGCAGACACT 480 AAAAGGATTA CCTGCTTTGC TTCCGGGGGT TTCCCAAAGC CTCGCTTCTC TTGGTTGGAA 540 AATGGAAGAG AATTACCTGG CATCAATACG ACAATTTCCC AGGATCCTGA ATCTGAATTG 600 TACACCATTA GTAGCCAACT AGATTTCAAT ACGACTCGCA ACCACACCAT TAAGTGTCTC 660 ATTAAATATG GAGATGCTCA CGTGTCAGAG GACTTCACCT GGGAAAAACC CCCAGAAGAC 720 CCTCCTGATA GCAAGAACAC ACTTGTGCTC TTTGGGGCAG GATTCGGCGC AGTAATAACA 780 GTCGTCGTCA TCGTTGTCAT CATCAAATGC TTCTGTAAGC ACAGAAGCTG TTTCAGAAGA 840 AATGAGGCAA GCAGAGAAAC AAACAACAGC CTTACCTTCG GGCCTGAAGA AGCATTAGCT 900 GAACAGACCG TCTTCCTTTA G 921 26 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 203 CGACATTTGG ATTTCAAGCT TCTACG 26 30 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 204 GATCCGTAGA AGCTTGAAAT CCAAATGTCG 30 33 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 205 ATCGTAAGCT TATTATACAG GGCGTACACT TTC 33 60 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 206 TATCTGGAAT TCTATCGCGA TATCCGTTAA GTTTGTATCG TAATGGGCCA CACACGGAGG 60 867 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 207 ATGGGCCACA CACGGAGGCA GGGAACATCA CCATCCAAGT GTCCATACCT CAATTTCTTT 60 CAGCTCTTGG TGCTGGCTGG TCTTTCTCAC TTCTGTTCAG GTGTTATCCA CGTGACCAAG 120 GAAGTGAAAG AAGTGGCAAC GCTGTCCTGT GGTCACAATG TTTCTGTTGA AGAGCTGGCA 180 CAAACTCGCA TCTACTGGCA AAAGGAGAAG AAAATGGTGC TGACTATGAT GTCTGGGGAC 240 ATGAATATAT GGCCCGAGTA CAAGAACCGG ACCATCTTTG ATATCACTAA TAACCTCTCC 300 ATTGTGATCC TGGCTCTGCG CCCATCTGAC GAGGGCACAT ACGAGTGTGT TGTTCTGAAG 360 TATGAAAAAG ACGCTTTCAA GCGGGAACAC CTGGCTGAAG TGACGTTATC AGTCAAAGCT 420 GACTTCCCTA CACCTAGTAT ATCTGACTTT GAAATTCCAA CTTCTAATAT TAGAAGGATA 480 ATTTGCTCAA CCTCTGGAGG TTTTCCAGAG CCTCACCTCT CCTGGTTGGA AAATGGAGAA 540 GAATTAAATG CCATCAACAC AACAGTTTCC CAAGATCCTG AAACTGAGCT CTATGCTGTT 600 AGCAGCAAAC TGGATTTCAA TATGACAACC AACCACAGCT TCATGTGTCT CATCAAGTAT 660 GGACATTTAA GAGTGAATCA GACCTTCAAC TGGAATACAA CCAAGCAAGA GCATTTTCCT 720 GATAACCTGC TCCCATCCTG GGCCATTACC TTAATCTCAG TAAATGGAAT TTTTGTGATA 780 TGCTGCCTGA CCTACTGCTT TGCCCCAAGA TGCAGAGAGA GAAGGAGGAA TGAGAGATTG 840 AGAAGGGAAA GTGTACGCCC TGTATAA 867 35 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 208 ATTATTATTG GATCCTTAAT TAATTAGTGA TACGC 35 35 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 209 CTCCTCCATG GCAGTCATTA CGATACAAAC TTAAC 35 38 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 210 CGTTAAGTTT GTATCGTAAT GACTGCCATG GAGGAGTC 38 36 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 211 TAGTAGTAGT AGTAGCTTCT GGAGGAAGTA GTTTCC 36 39 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 212 CAGAAGCTAC TACTACTACT ACCCACCTGC ACAAGCGCC 39 43 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 213 AACTACTGTC CCGGGATAAA AATCAGTCTG AGTCAGGCCC CAC 43 1173 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 214 ATGACTGCCA TGGAGGAGTC ACAGTCGGAT ATCAGCCTCG AGCTCCCTCT GAGCCAGGAG 60 ACATTTTCAG GCTTATGGAA ACTACTTCCT CCAGAAGATA TCCTGCCATC ACCTCACTGC 120 ATGGACGATC TGTTGCTGCC CCAGGATGTT GAGGAGTTTT TTGAAGGCCC AAGTGAAGCC 180 CTCCGAGTGT CAGGAGCTCC TGCAGCACAG GACCCTGTCA CCGAGACCCC TGGGCCAGTG 240 GCCCCTGCCC CAGCCACTCC ATGGCCCCTG TCATCTTTTG TCCCTTCTCA AAAAACTTAC 300 CAGGGCAACT ATGGCTTCCA CCTGGGCTTC CTGCAGTCTG GGACAGCCAA GTCTGTTATG 360 TGCACGTACT CTCCTCCCCT CAATAAGCTA TTCTGCCAGC TGGCGAAGAC GTGCCCTGTG 420 CAGTTGTGGG TCAGCGCCAC ACCTCCAGCT GGGAGCCGTG TCCGCGCCAT GGCCATCTAC 480 AAGAAGTCAC AGCACATGAC GGAGGTCGTG AGACGCTGCC CCCACCATGA GCGCTGCTCC 540 GATGGTGATG GCCTGGCTCC TCCCCAGCAT CTTATCCGGG TGGAAGGAAA TTTGTATCCC 600 GAGTATCTGG AAGACAGGCA GACTTTTCGC CACAGCGTGG TGGTACCTTA TGAGCCACCC 660 GAGGCCGGCT CTGAGTATAC CACCATCCAC TACAAGTACA TGTGTAATAG CTCCTGCATG 720 GGGGGCATGA ACCGCCGACC TATCCTTACC ATCATCACAC TGGAAGACTC CAGTGGGAAC 780 CTTCTGGGAC GGGACAGCTT TGAGGTTCGT GTTTGTGCCT GCCCTGGGAG AGACCGCCGT 840 ACAGAAGAAG AAAATTTCCG CAAAAAGGAA GTCCTTTGCC CTGAACTGCC CCCAGGGAGC 900 GCAAAGAGAG CGCTGCCCAC CTGCACAAGC GCCTCTCCCC CGCAAAAGAA AAAACCACTT 960 GATGGAGAGT ATTTCACCCT CAAGATCCGC GGGCGTAAAC GCTTCGAGAT GTTCCGGGAG 1020 CTGAATGAGG CCTTAGAGTT AAAGGATGCC CATGCTACAG AGGAGTCTGG AGACAGCAGG 1080 GCTCACTCCA GCTACCTGAA GACCAAGAAG GGCCAGTCTA CTTCCCGCCA TAAAAAAACA 1140 ATGGTCAAGA AAGTGGGGCC TGACTCAGAC TGA 1173 1182 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 215 ATGGAGGAGC CGCAGTCAGA TCCTAGCGTC GAGCCCCCTC TGAGTCAGGA AACATTTTCA 60 GACCTATGGA AACTACTTCC TGAAAACAAC GTTCTGTCCC CCTTGCCGTC CCAAGCAATG 120 GATGATTTGA TGCTGTCCCC GGACGATATT GAACAATGGT TCACTGAAGA CCCAGGTCCA 180 GATGAAGCTC CCAGAATGCC AGAGGCTGCT CCCCGCGTGG CCCCTGCACC AGCAGCTCCT 240 ACACCGGCGG CCCCTGCACC AGCCCCCTCC TGGCCCCTGT CATCTTCTGT CCCTTCCCAG 300 AAAACCTACC AGGGCAGCTA CGGTTTCCGT CTGGGCTTCT TGCATTCTGG GACAGCCAAG 360 TCTGTGACTT GCACGTACTC CCCTGCCCTC AACAAGATGT TTTGCCAACT GGCCAAGACC 420 TGCCCTGTGC AGCTGTGGGT TGATTCCACA CCCCCGCCCG GCACCCGCGT CCGCGCCATG 480 GCCATCTACA AGCAGTCACA GCACATGACG GAGGTTGTGA GGCGCTGCCC CCACCATGAG 540 CGCTGCTCAG ATAGCGATGG TCTGGCCCCT CCTCAGCATC TTATCCGAGT GGAAGGAAAT 600 TTGCGTGTGG AGTATTTGGA TGACAGAAAC ACTTTTCGAC ATAGTGTGGT GGTGCCCTAT 660 GAGCCGCCTG AGGTTGGCTC TGACTGTACC ACCATCCACT ACAACTACAT GTGTAACAGT 720 TCCTGCATGG GCGGCATGAA CCGGAGGCCC ATCCTCACCA TCATCACACT GGAAGACTCC 780 AGTGGTAATC TACTGGGACG GAACAGCTTT GAGGTGCGTG TTTGTGCCTG TCCTGGGAGA 840 GACCGGCGCA CAGAGGAAGA GAATCTCCGC AAGAAAGGGG AGCCTCACCA CGAGCTGCCC 900 CCAGGGAGCA CTAAGCGAGC ACTGCCCAAC AACACCAGCT CCTCTCCCCA GCCAAAGAAG 960 AAACCACTGG ATGGAGAATA TTTCACCCTT CAGATCCGTG GGCGTGAGCG CTTCGAGATG 1020 TTCCGAGAGC TGAATGAGGC CTTGGAACTC AAGGATGCCC AGGCTGGGAA GGAGCCAGGG 1080 GGGAGCAGGG CTCACTCCAG CCACCTGAAG TCCAAAAAGG GTCAGTCTAC CTCCCGCCAT 1140 AAAAAACTCA TGTTCAAGAC AGAAGGGCCT GACTCAGACT GA 1182 47 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 216 CGATATCCGT TAAGTTTGTA TCGTAATGGA GCTCCTGCAG CCCGGGG 47 51 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 217 GATCCCCCGG GCTGCAGGAG CTCCATTACG ATACAAACTT AACGGATATC G 51 

What is claimed is:
 1. A recombinant poxvirus containing therein exogenous DNA in a nonessential region of the poxvirus, wherein the poxvirus is an attenuated avipox Virus that expresses an exogenous DNA encoding carcinoembryonic antigen and an exogenous DNA encoding B7 protein.
 2. The recombinant poxvirus according to claim 1, wherein the B7 protein is a murine B7.
 3. The recombinant poxvirus according to claim 1, wherein the B7 protein is a human B7.
 4. The recombinant poxvirus according to claim 1, wherein the B7 protein is encoded by SEQ. ID. No.:
 202. 5. The recombinant poxvirus of claim 4 wherein the attenuated avipox virus is ALVAC.
 6. The recombinant poxvirus according to claim 1, wherein the B7 protein is encoded by SEQ. ID. No.:
 207. 7. The recombinant poxvirus of claim 6 wherein the attenuated avipox virus is ALVAC.
 8. The recombinant poxvirus of claim 1 wherein the attenuated avipox virus is an attenuated canarypox virus.
 9. The recombinant poxvirus of claim 1 wherein the attenuated avipox virus is an attenuated canarypox virus obtained by serial passage on chick embryo fibroblasts, subjection of a master viral seed to a plurality of successive plaque purifications under agar, and amplification of a plaque clone through a plurality of passages.
 10. The recombinant poxvirus of claim 1 wherein the attenuated avipox virus is ALVAC.
 11. A composition comprising a poxvirus as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 in admixture with a suitable carrier.
 12. A method of expressing carcinoembryonic antigen and B7 protein in vivo, wherein the method comprises administering to a mammal a composition according to claim
 11. 